Today's concept of marriage encourages divorce - Most Rev. Naameh

Tamale, Aug. 31, GNA - Most Reverend Philip Naameh, Episcopal Chairman for Education of the Catholic Church, on Monday said current concept of marriage in the society contributes largely to the rise in divorce that has led to the numerous broken homes and single parenting. He said because morality in society had fallen due to modern culture, two adults would mutually stay together as if they were married and would do all that couples would do without holy matrimony or the consent of the families.

"The least provocation results in breaking up of the relationship," he added, when he addressed the 9th National Congress of Catholic Teacher Trainees in Tamale on Monday.

Most Rev. Naameh, who is also the Catholic Archbishop of Tamale, said: "Modern culture has placed the pleasure of human interest and the enjoyment of life above all things thereby belittling the word of God while ridiculing holy matrimony with consensual marriage". He urged teachers to be dedicated and uphold the Catholic discipline and traditional values as well as impart them to their students wherever they found themselves.

The Headmaster of St. Charles Seminary Senior High School in Tamale, Mr Paul Kelley, noted that teaching was both a profession and a calling adding that those who had responded to the call must give of their best and live beyond reproach.

He urged the authorities of the Catholic schools in the various regions to step up their supervisory roles to uplift the name and reputation of Catholic schools in the country. Mr Kelley said products of St. Charles School had had an enviable academic record since its inception in 1953 at Wiaga in the Upper East Region and mentioned inadequate infrastructure as one of the constraints facing the school. The National President of the Catholic Teacher Trainees, Mr Isaac Adongo Baba, urged his colleagues to accept postings to rural areas as a fulfilment of Christ's mission of reaching out to every one. The Association launched a magazine entitled "The Counsellor", to promote the activities of the association.