to the Family Life, Yesterday and Today Challenges to the Family Life, Yesterday and Today

All over the world there is lot of debate on same sex Marriage Homosexuality, family Values and Leadership of the Church. Family

The Church at large is divided on these issues which is sad The Church at large is divided on these issues which is sad. Whereas Church should be working for the glory of God and preparing people for His coming

The particular theme on which I shall be speaking is ‘ Challenges to family life; yesterday and today’.

Pakistan is also no exception to this phenomenon Pakistan is also no exception to this phenomenon. Almost every day we listen about crime, abuse, uncontrolled sexuality, poverty stricken families, neglected children, drug and alcoholic abuses, suicides, activities of militant groups, murder, theft etc.

“The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State” (United Nations, 1948).  

In the West “Society’s definition of ‘family’ is rapidly expanding and has come to include single parents biracial couples, blended families, unrelated individuals living cooperatively, and homosexual couples, among others. Unfortunately, family policy has been slow to catch up to changing trends in modern lifestyles” However, “Most uses of the word family in research indicate that it was often defined as ‘spouse and children’ or ‘kin in the household’.

Family and other key institutions of society are ordained by God: Church (Matt. 16:18), family  (Eph. 5, 6), and civil government (Romans 13),

The Christian's family is part of the larger social institution — family. The distinction of the Christian Honouring Christ by establishing or being part of a particular kind of family.

Pope Francis recently spoke to council members on the sacrament of matrimony and harmonious family life, encouraging parents to “waste time” with their children, reminding them, “The free gift of a parent’s time is so important.”

The famous statement of John Paul II is true, that ‘the society passes through the family’.

Internal Challenges Internal Crisises Arising in Day to day Life Lack of Adequate Preparation for Family Life Marriage and Family Life is a Vocation Training in Love

Goal difference Ongoing Education Immaturity Unrealistic expectation and romantic love Education in the correct meaning of sex Goal difference Ongoing Education Immaturity Abuses

Stress coming from different beliefs and values In-law Problems Stress coming from different beliefs and values

External False concept of Freedom Consumeristic Culture Negative Influence of Media

Male Domination Masculine bulling Globalization

Moving Families Dually employed couples. Old People are Neglected Substance Abuse Distanced Couples, Parents and Children Interference of the State

Love, faithfulness and commitment Communications and mutual respect

Humour and Friendship Responsibleness

Teaching and mentoring Contact with extended families

Political and social forces Home a domestic church

Questions to be discussed by groups

(1) There is a challenge to family life in many kinds of working patterns, where people are encouraged to work far away from home or to work for impossible hours that don’t allow them to see their families properly. What are the ways to deal with this challenge? (2)There is a challenge in some ideas of how men should behave or are allowed to behave – that is both in terms of the tolerance extended to men who misbehave in broader terms of men’s expectations of their role in a family. (3)There is a challenge in the shape of violence inside the home, against women or children, often kept secret – or not believed in when it is spoken about. What could be the possible steps to ensure that they are heard and are not kept silence?

The Rt. Rev. Irfan Jamil Bishop of Lahore By: The Rt. Rev. Irfan Jamil Bishop of Lahore Dated: 13th Oct. 2013