General Synod 2003: Press Release - Mothers Union President warns family life crumbling

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishop of Armagh speaking at General Synod

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishops, Bishops, Honorary Secretaries and Members at General Synod

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CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House, 61 - 67 Donegall Street, Belfast BT 2QH
Tel Belfast: (028) 90 232 909
Press Officer Brian Parker (M): 07775 927 807

PRESS RELEASE

15 May 2003

MOTHERS UNION PRESIDENT WARNS FAMILY LIFE CRUMBLING

Stable family life appears to be crumbling as society faces rapid change, according to Mrs Paddy Wallace of the Church of Ireland Marriage Council and President of the Mothers’ Union in Ireland.

Speaking at the Church of Ireland General Synod today Mrs Wallace said: “We live in a rapidly changing social scene. I don’t need to describe here how fluid society is, or to emphasise how once accepted and comforting norms have disappeared; how expectations and even perceptions of marriage are so diverse.

“We need to acknowledge that many of our members are bewildered and distressed by the break down of relationships, by the seeming fragility of marriages, and at this changing social scene. The main building block of stable family life appears to be crumbling. More importantly many people are hurting.”

Mrs Wallace said the Church of Ireland Marriage Council had tried to confront the realities in launching its Marriage Preparation and Counselling Service.

“The significant thing about this service is that it offers ‘one to one’, one couple and one counsellor,” said Mrs Wallace. “This seems to be the preferred option among couples preparing for marriage. We hope clergy will make full use of the new service.”

Mrs Wallace added: “One day training sessions for clergy held in most dioceses will hopefully have created a base from which to progress further support for marriage and family life. It is evident that much is to be gained from working in partnership and along side other agencies. The church’s effectiveness in supporting marriage and family life can only be a reality when the various initiatives offered are used to the full.”

The Mothers Union Parenting Programme is now being used in ten dioceses of the Church of Ireland.

Visit the Mothers' Union website at www.mothersunion.ie