DAVID ADAMS reports…
The importance of marriage in today’s society will be the focus when more than 400 people gather in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra this Thursday to mark Australia’s inaugural National Marriage Day.
Mary-Louise Fowler, secretary on the committee organising National Marriage Day, says the intention of the day is to promote the social benefits of marriage.
UPHOLDING MARRIAGE: The first National Marriage Day will be marked in Canberra on 13th August. PICTURE: Rodrigo Valladares (www.sxc.hu)
“In Australia’s history that date (13th August) is actually very important because it’s the day we said ‘Right oh, we need to protect marriage and define what it is’”
– Mary-Louise Fowler, National Marriage Day secretary
“(It’s) to say that marriage brings certain benefits to society and to individuals and to children in particular,” she says. “And that the destruction of marriage and the breakdown of the family based on marriage…is, in fact, the cause of many of our social problems. But until we face that reality about marriage and the part it plays in people’s health and welfare and well-being, then we won’t really get very far ahead.”
The day is an initiative of the Australian Family Association along with a range of other organisations including Dads4Kids, the Australian Christian Values Institute, the Endeavour Forum and the Universal Peace Federation.
The date – 13th August – was selected as it marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of the Marriage Amendment Act 2004.
“In Australia’s history that date is actually very important because it’s the day we said ‘Right oh, we need to protect marriage and define what it is’,” Ms Fowler says.
She adds that it’s important to stress marriage wasn’t redefined on 13th August, 2004, as some have claimed, but was merely defined.
“It was defining what always existed and what has always existed. It doesn’t belong to the prerogative of government to actually change that because marriage is what it is. I know there are moves now to redefine marriage as another type of relationship and we are certainly standing firm on our commitment to marriage between a man and a woman.”
UK pro-marriage activist and barrister, Dr James Bogle, will be speaking about marriage during the event which will also see the launch of the second edition of a booklet, 21 Reasons Why Marriage Matters, and the announcement of the first National Marriage Day ambassadors – a high profile couple who will “champion” marriage during the coming year.
A petition calling for the day to be held annually will be presented to MPs. Those expected to attend include Senator Ursula Stephens and Senator Guy Barnett – both of whom will be addressing the breakfast – along with Senator Ron Boswell and Senator Eric Abetz.
“(It’s) to make the point that we think marriage needs to be refocused on and a whole pile of Australians agree,” says Ms Fowler of the petition.
The program will also include a presentation by RISE Australia (Restoring Integrity and Sexual Ethics), a newly formed national youth generated organisation which “challenges modern standards on sexual integrity by promoting life-giving love”.
The non-religious group was formed late last year after 20 young people were brought together in Canberra by the Australian Family Association to discuss issues of sexual integrity.
The group’s secretary, Jessica Langrell, says it aims to “renew, restore and revitalise love and truth in human relationships”.
“The reason why I was so attracted to RISE is because it’s going against the grain…We’re challenging today’s sexual standards,” says Ms Langrell, a student at the University of Notre Dame.
“It’s coming from young peoples’ perspectives – that we’re sick of today’s sexualised culture…and we want to replace it and make something available that is attractive, dignified and fulfilling.”
RISE will be holding a conference involving between 30 and 40 young people in Canberra on Wednesday at which they will hear from guest speakers Dave Sloan – co-founder of US organisation Catholic Thrive – and Luke McCormack – of the National Civic Council – speaking on relationships.
Those attending will also be involved in discussions based on a research paper the group has commenced writing, looking at issues ranging from marriage, pornography, dating and courtship to the meaning of sex and contraception.
The findings of the discussions will be presented at the National Marriage Day breakfast the following day.
The National Marriage Day will be followed in early September by National Marriage Week, an initiative first held last year.
While the two groups are unrelated, Ms Fowler says the fact two “entirely different networks of people” are looking to promote marriage “is actually speaking volumes”.
“It’s speaking to the times we’re in and the urgency of the mission,” she says.
~ www.marriageday.org.au
~ www.riseaustralia.org.au
~ www.marriageweek.org.au
