A bishop in the Indian state of Kerala recently urged married couples to encourage those youngsters who are still unmarried to get married. Bishop Mar Mathew Anikkuzhikattil from Idukki district also implied that marriage requires to be prioritized over education.

In his pastoral letter, which was to be read out during Sunday mass on April 10 across all churches under Idukki Diocese, Anikkuzhikattil said most youngsters believe that they can postpone marriage until their education has been completed and they have bagged a great job but that is not the correct perception.

“Marriage is not an obstacle to pursuing education and obtaining jobs,” he said.

He further elucidated that a growing attitude among youngsters to delay marriage so they can live the good life has resulted in an increase of immoral tendencies.

“Each parish should have at least 10 ideal couples, who should become role models for those unmarried,” his letter stated.

His letter also stated that between 1991 and 2006, as many as 11,083 couples from a Syro-Malabar church failed to have children.

“The fertility diminishes after the age of 30 due to reasons like various diseases, addiction to liquor, usage of narcotics, life style etc,” the bishop said in his letter.

Such trends accompanied with people choosing to remain unmarried could potentially lead to society’s ruin, Anikkuzhikattil said.

In conclusion, he said that parents and family of those who are preparing to get married should pray for their wellbeing.

“Sexual purity and chastity should not be considered as virtues of the olden times and should become a novel dedication for the future,” he said.

Photo Credits: Shaadhi Wedding Management