Accord (NI) at the Crossroads

Accord (NI) is the successor to the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council which was launched in the diocese of Down and Connor in 1962. In its 60th anniversary year, Accord (NI) began to engage in a Synodal Reflection on the challenges facing the future of the service of the Catholic Church in supporting marriage through marriage preparation, engagement with families as they enjoy life together, accompanying one or both spouses in their relationship difficulties. This synodal reflection takes account of the conclusions of the Synod on Marriage, Amoris Laetitia (2016), and the Catechumenate for Married Life Guidelines (2022) and its implications for the local Church. The gathering, facilitated by Jim Deeds, afforded an opportunity to listen to those who have unique insights into the pastoral needs of couples preparing for Catholic marriage, as they settle into permanent and committed life together and of those who face the challenge of fundamental disappointment in their relationship.

Chairman of the board of Accord NI, Archbishop Eamon led this second Synodal Reflection with a look at the Journey so far and where we might possibly be heading as we walk together on this synodal pathway. The Accord board, counsellors and marriage education facilitators and staff, were joined by a number of groups also working in this field: Catholic Mothers Ireland, Retrouvaille, Couples for Christ, Teams of Our Lady, Engaged/Marriage Encounter, RCIA, Catholic Schools Trustee Service, Clogher Don Oige and a number of clergy from various dioceses.

Pastoral support for marriage through preparation for the Sacrament, marriage enrichment and care for those who face disappointment in their life together, is an unconditional imperative for our Church, not least because we believe that intimate relationships, which are permanent and exclusive, are the crucible in which human love and desire can be forged closely to an appreciation of the divine unconditional self-giving. The challenge for us is to discern how best this pastoral support can be provided into the future by priests, pastoral councils, Accord (NI) and other lay ministries, education bodies and youth organisations.

There was an opportunity to hear from invited guests on the work they are involved in and all the wisdom gathered in the room. During the Conversations in the Spirit participants were asked to actively listen to each other, reflect and discern on the following questions: How can we work together to strengthen our care, support and formation for couples preparing for sacramental marriage? How can we continue this care, support and formation for married couples in the local faith community?

Following which, the ‘Widening the Tent’ session identified key initiatives and opportunities that have emerged and discussed practical steps to implement these initiatives.