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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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.

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

7. 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’.

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

9. 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.

10. 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.”

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

12. 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

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

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

15. External False concept of Freedom Consumeristic Culture
Negative Influence of Media

16. Male Domination
Masculine bulling
Globalization

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

19. Love, faithfulness and commitment
Communications and mutual respect

20. Humour and Friendship
Responsibleness

21. Teaching and mentoring
Contact with extended families

22. Political and social forces
Home a domestic church

23. Questions
to be
discussed by
groups

24. (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?

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