It is deceiving propaganda to state that extra-marital sexual relationships, cohabitation, infidelity, adultery and divorce are inevitable realities in the circumstances of modern life, said Archbishop Joseph Mercieca yesterday.

Mgr Mercieca was addressing new couples who got married last year at a thanksgiving mass at St John’s co-Cathedral.

He said the Church expects public authorities to pursue their effort in favour of the family structure and to protect it from harm.

Mgr Mercieca said the purpose of the Mass was to thank God for bringing the couples together in marriage according to God’s will and in order to be able to form new families.

“We have also met to thank God for all that He is, for His infinite love for mankind, for all that He has done over time and for all that He’s doing with married couples and their families, so that despite the numerous challenges we have to face, we will be able to continue growing and get stronger in love and union with each other,” said Mgr Mercieca.

He said this was also an occasion for him to greet all married couples and every family, to tell them that they always were and will remain dear to him. “I wish them, with a lot of love, the Lord’s good,” he said.

The Archbishop said that on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his being ordained Archbishop, he had written a letter to Maltese families, in which he outlined differences in lifestyles over those 25 years.

Having a look at the Maltese family shows that, despite the difficulties, Malta still has numerous families that are truly united, said Mgr Mercieca, adding that the fact itself that a large number of couples still seek to get married within the Church, shows that the roots of the Maltese family are essentially Catholic ones.

Nonetheless, he expressed concern over the fact that certain mentalities and attitudes are not helping the Maltese family structure to maintain characteristics of love and a life according to God’s will.

He told married couples to remember that married and family life is based on a mixture of experiences. Despite the enjoyable aspects of family life, certain problems always crop up, but God will certainly help whenever he is sought with sincerity, he said.

“In His infinite love and mercy, He will never fail from allowing people to seek comfort in Him in moments that require sacrifice, personal denial and forgiveness,” said Mgr Mercieca.

He urged couples to find time to pray together and to say the Rosary, possibly every day; he also urged them to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and Holy Communion, “since they will help you to remain united in love towards each other and they will also help you move closer to God”.

“Moving away from God means that you also move away from useful help. In the letter I wrote to you five years ago, on my 25th anniversary, I asked you not to give up and to always trust in God.

“I am once again appealing in favour of the same thing. I ask and urge you to use the model of the Holy Family as a means of guidance in the way you act in each other’s presence, the way you love and treasure life and your children, particularly when they are still young,” said Mgr Mercieca.