Valentine's Day celebration is for married couples -Pastor

Accra, Feb. 11, GNA - The Reverend Patrick Kofi Ntim Manteaw, Pastor in charge of the Asylum Down Presbyterian Church, has said St. Valentine's Day celebration was for married couples and not a day for sexual immorality and promiscuity.

He appealed to married couples, especially Christians, to buy gifts and use the occasion to renew their love for their spouses while cautioning the youth to desist from immorality especially on that day. Rev Manteaw was speaking at a marriage seminar organized by the Church ahead of the Valentine's Day celebration which falls on February 14.

The seminar was organized to encourage married couples to renew their love while educating the unmarried about the dangers of pre-marital sex and the significance of the day. This year's Valentine's Day falls on Thursday. Giving a brief history about Valentine's Day celebration, the Rev. Minister said the Catholic Church instituted the day in remembrance of a Catholic priest who promoted true love among couples.

He expressed concern about the turn of events and how condom sales were always reported to go higher than normal and appealed to Christians to take the event up and help stop the promiscuity and immorality on that day.

"It is time the churches take their rightful place in such events and teach people the real significance instead of allowing unbelievers to abuse such events."

Rev. Manteaw urged those of marriageable age to desire marriage since it is a good institution and mentioned that marriage ceremonies had become too expensive these days, discouraging especially young people from entering it.

"It is not obligatory to organise an expensive wedding, the most important thing is that it has God's blessing," he said.