Most families in good shape - Archbishop

Despite the increase in the number of families breaking down, the majority of Maltese families were in good shape because they were living the sacrament of marriage, Archbishop Paul Cremona said.

The Archbishop was addressing a Mass held on Saturday at St John's Co-Cathedral for couples who got married last year.

Mgr Cremona said it was thanks to the Christian faith that the Maltese family was still strong.

The soft-spoken Archbishop thanked those present for encouraging him but he also wished to encourage them in their lives as married couples.

The head of the Maltese Catholic diocese acknowledged that more and more families were breaking down because of social and economic factors. However, thanks to their faith, the future for Christian families was bright, despite public opinion discouraging many from marrying with prophesies of marital and familial breakdown.

"The values which come out of the sacrament of marriage help towards creating a strong and lasting family" he concluded.