Factors that influence stability of church marriage in Our Lady and St. Jude Parish, Naggulu in the light of AMECEA’s messages to catholic families

Abstract

This study was aimed at finding out the factors that influence Church marriage stability. The research was conducted among the Christians of Our lady and St. Jude Naggulu parish in the Arch Diocese of Kampala. Given the way marriage is treated with a lot of disdain in the contemporary epoch, much as it’s the source of all vocations, the researcher was intrigued to consider four central independent variables as the foundation that could strengthen Church marriage stability among the Christians of Our Lady and St Jude Naggulu parish. These were pre-marital catechesis, pastoral agents, family planning methods, and dowry as laying a fertile ground to this effect of Church Marriage stability. The same variables were used in the formulation of the specific objectives, research questions, hypotheses, and finally the literature review. Literature was reviewed following these four independent variables. The researcher used descriptive research design, and population of study consisted of couples that once were together and broke up and those who are still together. The researcher used non random or non probabilistic sampling techniques like snow ball, purposive and convenient sampling. The researcher’s sample size was one hundred and fifty two respondents out of two hundred fifty couples in the parish as the population sample of the researcher. The researcher therefore accessed one hundred fifty two respondents. Out of the one hundred fifty two respondents, one hundred and twenty seven respondents were effectively handled. To the researcher this constituted a representative number. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods like survey methods for example (questionnaires) focused group discussions, informants, and documentary reviews. The researcher analyzed the data collected in a triangulated style. He used pie charts, percentages, frequencies out of an ungrouped data to make use of some of the measures of central tendencies like the mode in determining the modal age of the respondents which was relevant to his findings as regards the age of his respondents. After the researcher had analyzed his data, his information showed that the four variables are core issues to marriage stability if they are well catered for by the rightful people, they greatly contribute to Church marriage stability. However it was discovered by the researcher that underlying all these variables, they leave a lot to be desired by the people concerned, otherwise they are primary factors for ensuring Church marriage stability. After data collection and interpretation, the researcher found out that pre-marital catechesis, was done but not as expected and yet it has a contributing positive or negative effect according to the way it is done. The pastoral agents too are central with their endeavor as regards pastoral care through their visitations in rejuvenating people’s faith. It required pretty much time in order to realize its effect to the Christians in line with marriage stability. It has ups and downs that need to be catered for through availability of priests in the various families. Family planning especially natural family planning methods have a lot of spiritual values imbedded in the use of such approach to birth control though the researcher realized most of the respondents’ responses pointed to use of artificial family planning that was readily available at their disposal and few seemed to have been using the natural methods simply because in the parish this endeavor was not in place. Natural family planning contributes greatly to marital fidelity and endurance by fostering an atmosphere of knowledge, communication and intimacy between husband and wife. The most underlying feature behind this is the spiritual aspect demonstrated through the couple’s willingness to forego immediate self gratification for each other symbolizing a vital discipline of self control and chastity. Dowry too had a contributing factor to marriage stability. It’s the source that brings together parents of either party to bless and ensure success in marriage of their children. The researcher realized the centrality of dowry as a very important aspect for inculturation among the Catholics. With the above issues at hand, the researcher recommended that priests should be at the forefront of Pre-marital Catechesis despite their busy schedule. They should spare time to facilitate and take absolute responsibility of this noble process instead of delegating to catechists. The number of pastoral agents should be increased by enticing more vocations to priesthood in the bid to counteract the problem of the ratio of priests to Christians which is a general problem. It has kept the apostolate of home or house to house visitation very poor. The priests too should not shun a way from telling the Christians about the natural family planning methods and they should be taught how it’s done in order to be relevant to the Christians. It’s quite unfortunate but the fact is, Christians expect priests to know at least most of the issues underlying marriage. Lastly dowry should be incorporated in the basic requirements for one to embrace Church marriage due to its effects in line with the basic components of marriage as ordained in the scriptures as being everlasting unity and stability. As it’s the ideal strategy by the mother Church, inculturation is the only way for Africans to find a sense of ownership of their faith, dowry is very central to be slotted in as a necessary requirement for Church marriage stability.