Bishops Griffiths' comments on caring for the separated and divorced received some media attention, both locally and nationally. The scriptures tell us that God's love for his creatures is reflected in the love between husband and wife. This beautiful image expresses God's unfailing love for us. On the human side, love, though made in God's image, is always imperfect. In this world of striving and failure, love is sometimes abused, trust betrayed and promises broken.
Relationships often break down under the strain.
When this happens to married people, a loving relationship may end in separation and bitterness. As many of you know only too well, there has been in recent years a dramatic increase in the number of failed marriages. It is a trend that is found among Catholics also. Parents who have persevered through many difficulties are bewildered to find their married children betrayed and abandoned even in the early years of marriage. The pain of divorce spreads beyond the couple concerned to touch their children, their families and all who support and care for them.