Editorial

Saving marriages: Society learns from Catholics

To obtain a driver's license, we are required to take an education class with classroom and behind-the-wheel experience. In almost every profession, there is specialized training and education required. Even to become a bartender, a person has to take a class.

But to marry or become a parent - two of the most important roles in our lives - our society requires no education or training. Perhaps that's one reason why there is such a high divorce rate in this country today.

Catholic Church leads way. The Catholic Church has been a leader in helping prepare couples for marriage. In Wisconsin, for example, a policy on marriage preparation has been in effect for many years in all five dioceses. It requires couples to contact their parish well in advance of their anticipated wedding day and to be involved in a marriage preparation program.

Other denominations are learning from us Catholics. One such nation-wide program is called Marriage Savers, a nonprofit group which has helped lower divorce rates in dozens of cities by promoting community marriage policies.

Community Marriage Policy. Last week, clergy from every major denomination gathered at the state Capitol in Madison to sign the Greater Madison Community Marriage Policy to "support, strengthen and enrich marriages in an attempt to significantly reduce the divorce rate." The signing was America's 160th Community Marriage Policy.

The new Community Marriage Policy includes many of the same provisions that local Catholic parishes follow, including marriage preparation at least four months prior to marriage; completion of a premarital inventory, such as FOCCUS or PREPARE; and training of "mentor couples" to help other couples currently experiencing marital distress or crisis.

Mentor couples. Training of clergy and mentor couples already began at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in Madison. "Research shows that people who can best teach the skills of how to have a solid marriage are those who have solid marriages, serving as mentor couples," says Diane Sollee of the Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couple Education.

Marriage Savors reports that some participating churches have been virtually able to eliminate divorce. For example, Christ Lutheran Church in Overland Park, Kan., with 1,500 members has had only two divorces in four years thanks to premarital preparation and marriage enrichment programs.

Diocese of Madison programs. The Diocese of Madison offers not only marriage preparation programs, but also provides enrichment experiences through Marriage Encounter and Retrouvaille. For more information, contact the diocesan Office of Family Ministry at 608-821-3175.

A strong society is built on strong families. We must encourage and help couples to prepare well for marriage and continue to grow in the years ahead.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

To the editor:

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In the 20th Century, Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood had a vision. Adolph Hitler had a vision and currently scientists have a vision. The vision of these people was to patent the perfect human being. To achieve her dream, Margaret Sanger's theme was "more from the fit and less from the unfit." Hitler's goal was to rid the world of people he deemed not worthy of life. The millions of human beings murdered in the Holocaust attests to his depraved thinking.

In the 21st Century, scientists are striving to create the perfect person. Replacement of body parts by manufacturing human embryos is their goal. "Human embryo farms," "artificial wombs," "therapeutic cloning," are a few of the means employed.

Unless we stop human cloning now, how will history depict our lack of courage, our lack of actions taken in behalf of innocent human embryos, and unborn children? It is never right to murder another person, be they a developing human embryo, an unborn baby, persons having severe handicaps, or people in Alzheimer's homes.

We need not be influenced by so called "experts." Our common sense, our innate vision, our moral compass, words written on our hearts direct and guide us to value every human life. What will we do to stop human cloning?

Polly Ricksecker, Beloit

Enjoy remodeled center

To the editor:

Although our family was not very aware of the remodeling of the Bishop O'Connor Center at the time it was happening, we have, in recent years, enjoyed the fruits of Bishop Bullock's labors in this regard. Youth groups have met there, and found the facility very user friendly. The auditorium has been the site used by Catholic Homeschoolers for play presentations and musical opportunities. We are aware of the beautiful surroundings as a perfect backdrop for retired priests in the diocese. As parents of a seminarian, we've even had the privilege of being invited to a few Serra Club events.

We appreciate the uphill battle the Bishop went through to create a facility that can be used by a wide variety of ages for such a wide variety of Diocesan experiences. In recent articles about the Bishop's retirement, one must look at the evolution of this facility and thank the Bishop for his efforts.

Claudia Daniel, Cross Plains

Church's eyes must open

To the editor:

Your editorial of April 18, 2002, says "Pray, too, for an increase in church vocations. God is calling men and women to serve the church." I would rather pray that the Church's eyes would be opened like those of the disciples in Luke's account of Jesus' appearances after the resurrection and recognize that the Holy Spirit is right there in front of us giving us a vocational solution.

Men and women are ready, now, to serve the Church, but they aren't recognized for what they bring because the hierarchy's eyes are not opened to the marriage of priests or women as priests.

The 1981 papal decree called the "pastoral provision" allows married Episcopal priests from the Anglican Church in America to become ordained Catholic priests. So far over 100 priests have made this transition. Isn't it about time the Church accepts their own faithful to carry the Church forward?

Don Lund, Stoughton