The rising incidence of marital crises and divorce can be effectively checked if couples deepen their understanding of the divine structure of marriage and embrace their God-given roles, Catholic clerics and family counselors have said.
This was the consensus at the annual couples’ forum tagged Duovarietiesnite, organized by the Rescue Marriage and Relationship Initiative (RM&RI), held in Satellite Town, Lagos.
The event attracted participants from within and outside the state.
Delivering a keynote address on “Standard of a Good Marriage,” Parish Priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Ijegun Imore, Amuwo-Odofin, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Okoro, stressed that marriage was instituted by God and must operate within divine principles to thrive.
According to him, “In marriage, the man’s role is to love his wife unconditionally, while the woman’s role is to obey and submit to her husband. Submission does not reduce a woman’s value, rather it aligns with God’s divine structure for marriage to bear fruit.”
Father Okoro likened marital roles to the relationship within the Holy Trinity and between Christ and the Church, explaining that while husband and wife are equal partners, there must be an agreement on leadership in the home to prevent persistent conflict.
He further warned that unresolved emotional wounds often create stumbling blocks in families. “Many people go into marriage broken from childhood trauma or abuse. Unless such individuals undergo proper counseling and healing, they transfer their pains to their innocent spouses,” he said.
Highlighting practical strategies, he urged couples to preserve the personal qualities that first attracted them to each other, warning against what he called the “depreciation of marital assets.”
In a separate presentation on “Beauty of Family Life,” Rev. Fr. Peter Onyeno, CSsR, reminded participants that marriage is a divine institution, not a human one, and should be treated as the “domestic church.”
He emphasized that families that pray together stand stronger and warned against unhealthy comparisons with other marriages.
“Marriage is not one-size-fits-all. What works for one home may not work for another. Couples must study their spouses deeply, avoid comparing partners, and build their homes with patience and prayer,” he said.
Author and counselor, Mr. Ifediora Mkwocha, also addressed the gathering on “Self-Discovery.”
He encouraged participants to understand their personalities, values, and passions, noting that self-awareness fosters better relationships and life decisions.
Welcoming participants, Mrs. Victoria Mbakwo, one of the directors of RM&RI, urged couples to take the lessons seriously and apply them in their homes. She praised the resilience of the NGO in promoting stable marriages despite initial challenges.
CEO of the foundation, Mr. Ikechukwu Mbakwo had vowed that he would continue to use everything in him to ensure that the NGO stands, and contribute meaningfully in fixing broken marriages, adding that he has a mandate to make marriages happier ,thereby bringing about a better Nigerian society.
The event also featured interactive sessions, including couples’ games, award presentations, and bonding activities such as parenting quizzes, compatibility tests, and a lighthearted kissing challenge to rekindle intimacy among spouses.
Reporting By Innocent Onoh