For this reason, above all, churches should care about marriage. In saying this I want to mention an important implication. Churches should not care about marriage uncritically. The goal is not to promote marriage at all costs. The point is to help people grow into a good marriage and to nurture it over a lifetime.
Marriage is meant to be both loving and lasting.
The relationship between husband and wife should be enduring, not a test of endurance. Sadly, we know that not all marriages succeed. When divorce does occur, however, I think churches should be just as ready to comfort people in their loss and help them to be healed as they are to condemn divorce and preach against its evil effects. Together we urge our pastors, church ministers, teachers and leaders to come together in practical support of making all marriages good marriages in the Lord. I sincerely hope that what we have been able to do in this joint statement will be a source of motivation, and permission if necessary, for local congregations and parishes to develop pastoral care for marriages at all stages of life.