CHURCH FAMILY PROGRAMS

Papua New Guinea - Post Courier 28 April 2011

Churches in Morobe Province have called for a united effort

in supporting family programs to help minimize alcohol abuse.

Bishop Christian Blouin from Lae Catholic diocese said the

best way was through the family unit. He said that the family

has been one value which the churches hold very dear to their

hearts.

They are the core of society and churches try their best to support

families with programs that enhance family life. They also conduct

programs of integral human development, conflict resolution and

others with moral and spiritual values.

He said that family life has been greatly affected by abuse of

alcohol in the community. A lot of people seek help to be free

from a dependence on alcohol but do not know who to turn

to or where to go.

The Bishop said drinking to get drunk seems to be the normal

acceptance these days and preaching moderation is not enough.

He supported tougher laws that control issue of liquor licenses.

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Morobe Provincial Program advisor Amet Fongmale said that
de-facto marriages often breed child abuse because partners
meet in nightclubs.

She said abuse of alcohol steals a lot of quality time in which
the father and mother should be spending with the children.

Ms Fongmale said that the more time parents spend with their
families, the stronger their children would be as they would cling
to parents especially at decision-making time.

She said that children become the innocent victims of alcoholic
parents’ irresponsible behaviour.

Many women assume double responsibility as head of family and
breadwinner because husbands fail to provide adequate support
for them and children because of chronic alcohol consumption.