About the Initiative continued

The National Pastoral Initiative for Marriage from the U.S. Catholic Bishops calls attention to the meaning and value of married life for the Church and for society. The bishops urge the Catholic Church to become a community of hope and help for marriages, and to join others in building a culture of marriage bringing Catholic belief into dialogue with contemporary needs. This initiative weaves together the Catholic faith tradition, its pastoral practice, the data of the social sciences and the experience of married couples to offer guidance and resources in order to promote, strengthen, sustain and restore marriages.

It is important to understand that helping couples prepare for marriage is one thing, helping them to stay married is something else entirely. Helping people to stay married is the main focus of an important set of programs known as marriage education. Marriage education programs focus on developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for making wise marital choices and having a successful marriage. Therefore, marriage preparation programs and marriage education are essential steps in order to rebuild the institution of marriage.

The goal is to become a “Marriage-Building Church” by protecting and advocating for marriage and promoting a comprehensive approach to ongoing education for the vocation to the Sacrament of Marriage at all stages of life, to create a culture in which Christian marriage education is seen as an integral part of people’s lives in becoming the domestic church.

The apostolic movements are invited to partner with the Diocese of San Bernardino to complement and enrich the diocesan initiative by offering their unique gifts to help and support couples in their marriage vocation.