Laois Bishop suggests Church marriage in 'crisis' as couples tie knot elsewhere

More must be done to promote the sacrament of marriage in churches according to the Bishop who leads Catholics in Laois as he fears a 'crisis' is facing the traditional wedding in Catholic churches.

The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, who oversees Laois parishes such as Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick, spoke about the challenges faced during a St Valentine's Mass in Dublin in the homily released to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"In my office at Bishop’s House, Carlow, on one wall I look on the wedding photographs of nieces and nephews, the most recent addition is Eleanor and Alan’s, who were married in the Cathedral in Carlow on 11 October last; and Leo and Shauna who got married in late 2023, and that of Roisín and Mark in 2022. Photographs like these give me great joy. Being invited to officiate at the weddings of nieces and nephews is an absolute privilege, and not one that I, or any celebrant, should take for granted.

"In Ireland, the numbers celebrating sacramental weddings continue to slip according to the Central Statistics Office, with the figure of 34% as per the statistics relating to 2023. The very same year saw 32.2% civil ceremonies. Perhaps sacramental marriage is going through a vocations crisis? We need to do much more to promote the sacrament. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Bishop Denis Nulty.

"It is incumbent on people of faith to do our best to promote all that is wholesome about sacramental marriage, inviting God into your union, what could be more beautiful? It is in many ways revolutionary to become sacramentally married today," he said.

Bishop Nulty, who is President of the Church-backed marriage preparation and relationships counselling service Accord, spoke on the same day as new research revealed that the number of couples participating in Accord marriage preparation courses has fallen significantly. The Amarach research that was commissioned by Accord said that total in 2024 amounted to 5,194 compared with 7,281 couples in 2023.

A civil ceremony can be held in a civil registration service or a venue approved by the registrar. You do not have to live in the same area as the venue.

READ ALSO: LAOIS BISHOP HIGHLIGHTS HOUSING CRISIS WORRY AHEAD OF ST VALENTINE'S DAY

Bishop Nulty delivered his homily on marriage in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Whitefriar Street, Dublin which is the location of at the Shrine of St Valentine where relics of the saint are located. He led the annual blessing of two engaged couples at the event.

Kildare and Leighlin takes in most of Laois, Kildare, Carlow, Offaly and parts of Wicklow. It's part of the Dublin Archdiocese.