Pope Francis has hailed the worldwide Christian marriage ministry Retrouvaille for allowing spouses to overcome relationship issues and flourish as a couple.
The Pope met with Retrouvaille members in the Vatican. A Christian program is provided by the lay-led ministry to assist suffering couples in overcoming obstacles and restoring their marriage.
"Today, there is a huge need for people, for spouses who can attest that a crisis is not a curse, but rather a part of the journey and an opportunity," Francis stated.
Priests and bishops, he continued, must demonstrate to couples that they have the ability to develop and adapt even in the face of adversity.
The Retrouvaille program, which began in Quebec, Canada in 1977, is Catholic in origin but serves couples of any faith.
Today the volunteer ministry has communities in Canada, Central and South America, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and the United States.
Pope Francis praised the group for its ministry to couples who are experiencing a serious crisis in their marriage.
“This is very important, we must not be afraid of crisis,” he said.
“Crisis helps us to grow, and what we must take care of is not to fall into conflict, because when you fall into conflict you close your heart and there is no solution to the conflict -- or barely.”
