Christian families face problems like internet, drugs, consumerism, extramarital affairs
The bishop of Rajshahi spoke at the sixth meeting of Christian couples. “[C]hildren are not a misfortune from God,” he said. Christian students "from wealthy families get lazy”. Many parents hide their children’s drug addition when instead, they should seek help from the Church.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The modern challenges Christian families face in Bangladesh include a consumer mind-set, a virtual reality that is foreign to human relationships, extramarital affairs, drug addiction, physical disabilities that are still considered a social stigma, this according to Mgr Gervas Rozario, bishop of Rajshahi.
The prelate, who is vice president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) and chairman of Caritas Bangladesh, spoke at the 6th Marriage Encounter in late June, which brought together more than 100 couples.
"The world has changed rapidly in the past one hundred years ago because of technology, innovation, mass communication,” the bishop said. “Families are the first to notice [these changes]. Family problems become problems for society itself."
The new technologies “can be a blessing,” he noted, “but their abuse [turns] families into victims. It's easy to communicate through social media, mobile phones and various devices when families are apart, but the immediate availability of these communication tools can often create dangers." For example, "mobile phones are useful tools, but unwanted friends can victimise youths. TV shows can lead them the wrong way."
Other problems stem from widespread consumerism. "Very often Christian students do not have good grades. Those who face economic difficulties excel, whilst those from wealthy families get lazy. They are not competitive when they take exams. We could have many more doctors, engineers, military and policemen if parents took greater care of their children."
The family faces great challenges like those related to "husband-wife relations. Marital love is at risk because society and other relatives want to influence the relationship. Some do not seek the happiness of the couple, but only their selfish interest."
Addressing directly the couples present, the bishop said, "Your relationship is much more important than that with other people, so you have to take care of it."
Still with respect to the family, the bishop talked about the economic difficulties that lead people "to seek work abroad. You have to keep in touch with your loved ones on a regular basis; otherwise the suspicion of extramarital affairs might arise."
The presence of children with disabilities or other difficulties "is another challenge for the family,” the Caritas president said. Such children “are usually not welcome and family members feel embarrassed because [the disability] is still a social stigma.” However, "children are not a misfortune from God, and you as parents have to accept them with sincerity."
"Drug addiction is also a big problem. Many young Christians are addicts and this is due to the negligence of their parents."
Addressing the couples directly, he said, "You, mothers and fathers, you should have more time for your children. Some parents hide the fact that their children are drug addicts and this is not good. They must find a cure and can ask the Church and society for help."
Finally, "Many Christian families no longer pray together, and many Catholics no longer go to Mass,” the prelate said. “Praying together and going to Mass encourage family members from the spiritual and moral point of view."
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