Marriage & Family

Life, Marriage & Family Centre

Life, Marriage & Family Centre

"Today, if they are to give a truly human face to society, no people can ignore the precious good of the family, founded on marriage…Thus the Church cannot cease to proclaim that marriage and family are irreplaceable and permit no other alternatives…the Christian family has a very noble mission that it cannot shirk: the transmission of the faith…Parents are the first evangelisers of children, a precious gift from the Creator, and begin by teaching them to say their first prayers. In this way a moral universe is built up, rooted in the will of God, where the child grows in the human and Christian values that give life its full meaning."

- Pope Benedict XVI, Letter to Participants in the 5th World Meeting of Families

"Respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness."

- Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae – The Gospel of Life

What is the Life, Marriage and Family Centre?

The Life, Marriage and Family Centre works at the service of marriage, family and the Gospel of Life. The Centre has been established to extend the research, policy, educational and pastoral activities that the Archdiocese undertakes with respect to life, marriage and family issues. In regards life, the centre gives particular attention to abortion and euthanasia, as well as reproductive technologies, embryo experimentation, genetics, family planning and population issues. In regards marriage and family, particular attention is given to deepening the understanding of how marriage is different to other forms of relationship; marriage enrichment; parenting, and especially fatherhood; effects of divorce and separation; the interests of children; and pre-marriage relationships.

The Life, Marriage and Family Centre operates under the guidance of the Episcopal Vicar for Life, Marriage and Family, Bishop Peter Comensoli.

Why have such an office?

The Church is committed to proclaiming its teachings about the gifts of life, marriage and the family. The Church is already providing support through various Archdiocesan agencies which serve life, marriage and family in the areas of education, welfare, health and catechesis. However, this work needs to continue and to expand.

To this end, the Life, Marriage and Family Centre seeks to:

• Work with existing groups engaged in life, marriage and family activities
• Promote pro-life and marriage education, within the Church and the wider community, where necessary producing and developing literature and resources, as well as organising speakers and events
• Support marriage educators, health professionals, welfare workers, parish priests and teachers
• Encourage local pro-life, marriage and family initiatives
• Assist family groups and organisations in providing support to youth, including pro-life youth and university groups
• Conduct research and prepare public submissions to assist the Church in its lobbying work to defend the truth about the gifts of life, marriage and family and the dignity of the human person
• Seek new ways to proclaim the truth, goodness and beauty of life, marriage and family within Australian society
Address Level 11, Polding Centre, 133 Liverpool Street,  Sydney NSW 2000
Telephone (02) 9390 5283
Fax (02) 9390 5288
Contact Mr Chris Meney, Director
Email lifemarriagefamily@sydneycatholic.org
Website http://www.lifemarriagefamily.org.au