‘Lack of premarital counselling responsible for high rate of divorce’

BISHOP of Ijesa North East Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Osun State, Right Reverend Joseph Olusola, has attributed the increasing rate of divorce in the society to lack of premarital counselling, saying churches have a role to play in sustaining and building homes to avoid destruction of lives of the growing generation.

The bishop, who stated this during a press conference to usher in the first session of the third synod of Ijesa North East Diocese in Ipetu Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State, said divorce breeds poverty, particularly for women and children.

The cleric noted that most children of divorce experience disruptions that create turmoil in their lives, saying “if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

He said: “marriage is God’s premeditated and calculated divine institution, designed to form a permanent union between one man and one woman as husband and wife for life. It is a relationship increasing intimacy and growing interdependence.”

He however said churches should be ready to offer counselling on marriage to new couples to prepare them for the challenges in keeping a home

He said: “the institution involves people that are coming together from different backgrounds, different orientations and opinions about things of life. To make such people blend together in marital affairs, therefore, requires good counselling process to facilitate the necessary adjustment required to help them live together peacefully”

Speaking on the role of the church, the cleric said: “the church must go back to the Bible. The priests must teach the raw word of God.”