The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on Saturday warned of what he described as a growing disintegration of family life in Sri Lanka, saying the erosion of marriage poses a serious threat to society.
Addressing devotees at the annual feast at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Kalutara, the Archbishop said the collapse of family structures in the country was spreading “like a dangerous epidemic.”
Emphasizing that the family is the smallest unit of society, Cardinal Ranjith said the stability of the wider community depends on the strength of the home.
“The greatest destruction of our time is the systematic breakdown of family life,” he said. “In Sri Lanka today, this has spread like a dangerous epidemic.”
He said many young couples enter marriage driven by emotions, physical attraction or momentary happiness, only to abandon it soon afterward.
“For many, marital life has become a game, without any real purpose,” the cardinal said.
The Cardinal stressed that marriage forms the foundation of society and that strong marital relationships lead to stable families. According to the teachings of the Catholic Church, he added, faithful family life is essential not only for a healthy society but also for the Church to remain spiritually strong.
The cardinal’s remarks come amid ongoing public debate over changing social values and rising concerns about family stability in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)