tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post7652104269066793910..comments2024-03-27T15:00:33.760+00:00Comments on Catholic Commentary: Marriage preparation: a need for reform?Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09339499088443959192noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-62616811924867532202008-06-03T21:01:00.000+01:002008-06-03T21:01:00.000+01:00An interesting post, Joe. I think that you're rig...An interesting post, Joe. I think that you're right. If couples are not prepared for Catholic marriage, the Church is selling them short. It's not fair on them. Marriage prep, like first communion prep and baptismal prep are golden opportunities for formation of the laity and to squander such opportunities is just plain daft. <BR/><BR/>When I was engaged, I read a book about marriage prep. I forget what it was called, but it discussed 'remote', 'proximate' and 'immediate' preparation for marriage. 'Remote' preparation is basically ones Catholic formation through childhood and teenage years - so you do have a hand in marriage prep through any input you have in formation of youth! <BR/><BR/>I remember that under 'immediate' preparation the engaged were advised to make use of the sacrament of confession just before marriage. I wonder just how widely that bit of advice is bandied around marriage prep courses? <BR/><BR/>I'd always considered marriage prep to be the place where one would learn about NFP, or at least learn where to learn about NFP. Does that happen? Engaged couples are being sold short if they're not told.la mammahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01218770456082851650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-14943325098089518742008-06-02T22:22:00.000+01:002008-06-02T22:22:00.000+01:00One of Cardinal Touran's principles for dialogue i...One of Cardinal Touran's principles for dialogue is that you need to be confident and assured about your own faith position in order to engage with the "other". Are Marriage Care meeting this criterion?Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09339499088443959192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-39875524962412214572008-06-02T18:53:00.000+01:002008-06-02T18:53:00.000+01:00Thanks, Joe, you are quite right in that it was to...Thanks, Joe, you are quite right in that it was too long a comment: I think I got carried away in trying to evidence what I wanted to say.Many of the Marriage Care Sex-Ed lesson plans carry a disclaimer to the effect that the contents do not necessarily reflect their (presumably Catholic) views, but they also recommend giving the pupils copies of the 'useful websites/helplines, 'for personal use after this lesson'.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08692837527315745231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-9461510294526405152008-06-02T08:39:00.000+01:002008-06-02T08:39:00.000+01:00A man putting himself forward for the Priesthood w...A man putting himself forward for the Priesthood would have to have a certain level of education - i'm not saying people are uneducated but for some this might be more difficult than others.When you write "it is intended to provide an assurance of freedom..." it conjures up an image of the "groom" writing the letter with "bride" holding a gun to his head or vice-versa!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-69497523402486463592008-06-02T07:14:00.000+01:002008-06-02T07:14:00.000+01:00The question of the couple writing to the Parish P...The question of the couple writing to the Parish Priest: before ordination and religious profession, a candidate is required to write a form of letter to their superior or bishop <I>in their own handwriting</I> requesting the step. It is intended to provide an assurance of their freedom from any external pressures, as well as their own commitment. Why not for marriage as well, which has a similar permanence of commitment as final profession or ordination?Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09339499088443959192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-50193766869739415032008-06-02T00:07:00.000+01:002008-06-02T00:07:00.000+01:00The Priest has the expertise to teach all about th...The Priest has the expertise to teach all about the Sacrament of Marriage but he can't do everything. So commited, willing people are called upon to help, maybe they are not given the relevent training to" get the message across". <BR/>As for the idea of the couple both putting it in writing to the Parish Priest that they want to receive the Sacrament of Marriage, that might frighten some people, because remember the Church is made up of people of all levels of ability. The Sacrament of Marriage shouldn't be entered lightly but l don't think we should make it harder for people who are obviously committed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8994073177496022401.post-50486220199708148952008-06-01T21:59:00.000+01:002008-06-01T21:59:00.000+01:00This is part of a comment received, and is publish...This is part of a comment received, and is published unchanged by me. The full comment is too long to post, but I think this first part of it effectively communicates what the commenter wanted to say. <BR/><BR/>"The Marriage Care website has some resources for teaching schoolchildren about sexuality and relationships, wiht a strong emphasis on treating every view as equally valid, and couched in the usual diversity/equality language. A systematic approach to teaching pupils what the Church teaches, use of the Catechism, Humanae Vitae, Familiaris Consortio, Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality etc, are conspicuous by their absence. Instead, there are numerous references to organisations that can provide further non-judgemental 'guidance and help'. The information below is taken from a KS4 lesson plan: ..."<BR/><BR/>and there follows a long account of different methods of barrier contraception.<BR/><BR/>The sad thing here is that, whilst someone like me can recognise a kind of "arms length" sort of relationship between Marriage Care and the Catholic Church, and therefore not identify its materials automatically as Catholic teaching, those outside the Church will not see that "arms length" and take Marriage Care resources as Catholic teaching. This can only have a serious adverse affect on the mission of the Church.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09339499088443959192noreply@blogger.com