By Emmanuel Ayungbe
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr.Anthony Ekong, has identified parental influence and other external factors as the causes of alarming cases of broken marriages among couples.
Ekong made the disclosure, weekend., during the solemnization of Holy Matrimony between Kufrer Udom Ekpoudom and Bryan Moritz Ita at Tower of Ivory Catholic Chaplaincy, Ediene Abak, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state.
He advised couples who run frequently to their parent for advice when they have the slightest marital differences in their homes to desist, saying that it is an invitation to marital collapse.
According to Ekong, “don’t go to your parents for advice, you will get sentimental advice . Every parent wants to defend their own children involvement in the misunderstanding rather than giving impartial judgement.
“As faithful Christians, if you have marital issues seek the face of God in prayers and approach true men of God and dedicated members of the church for counseling and advice “.
The clergy who described marriage as an institution with a matriculation date without a convocation date, enjoined the couples to live in harmony noting that the moment there is discord the marriage will crumble .
“The moment you as a husband forgets that your wife is a gift from God, you are finished. A good wife is a gift from the Lord. As a wife you have to encourage love and respect your husband,” Ekong said
