By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

Saturday 22nd May 2021 was a day specially set aside for the Ijebu Ode Diocesan Marriage and Family summit held at St. Sebastian Catholic Cathedral Ijebu-Ode beginning at 10:00am.

The Director of the Family and Human Life department, Fr. David-Mary Odunsi, gave the welcome address, introducing the topic (Good parenting and responsible parenthood in the light of Amoris Laetitia) and the speakers. In a similar vein, the Vicar for Pastoral Affairs, Very Rev. Fr Patrick Balogun gave the Keynote Address, breaking down the meaning and essence of Papal Apostolic Exhortation, with particular applications to Amoris Laetitia.

The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina officially declared the summit open and appreciated the organiser of the marriage and family summit, that is, the Family and Human Life Department, headed by Rev. Fr. David-Mary Odunsi. According to the Bishop, “the role of this summit is to evaluate the type of training we are giving to our children as parents. We are also to ask questions about the formation we do in our families. It is for us to know how our children and our youths are growing in their understanding of all the church’s requirements when they are ready to be parents.”

“We have here today our babas and our mamas that we want to honour because you have struggled through the difficulties of life, our country and the challenges of faith to give us example of a stable of a balanced and Rich Catholic families. We thank God for that opportunity.”

Lady Helen Ebhomielen of Abeokuta Diocese and Mr. Joseph Martin Gunduor of Lagos Archdiocese were the invited speakers of the day.
There was an award presentation for selected married couples across the Diocese and other side attractions like breaking of cola, dance and music performances.

It was indeed a great avenue to learn and an opportunity to celebrate marriage and family life in the Diocese of Ijebu Ode.