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| Special Mass celebrates marriage | Special Mass celebrates marriage |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| More than 700 couples with 43,000 years of marriage between them are renewing their vows during a "Mass for matrimony" at Westminster Cathedral. | |
| The couples are all celebrating significant wedding anniversaries during 2008, including nine who have been married for more than 60 years. | The couples are all celebrating significant wedding anniversaries during 2008, including nine who have been married for more than 60 years. |
| They have been personally invited by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. | They have been personally invited by the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. |
| He said the institution of marriage was "deeply important" to Britain's future. | He said the institution of marriage was "deeply important" to Britain's future. |
| During the Mass the couples - who are all Catholic - will be blessed by the cardinal, who is the leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales. | During the Mass the couples - who are all Catholic - will be blessed by the cardinal, who is the leader of Roman Catholics in England and Wales. |
| âToday, perhaps more than ever in the life and history of the Church, we need the visible witness of the love between husband and wife," he said. | âToday, perhaps more than ever in the life and history of the Church, we need the visible witness of the love between husband and wife," he said. |
| Ups and downs | Ups and downs |
| âI know politicians of all parties realise that marriage and the well-being of the family are deeply important to the future of Britain as they help to bring stability and the values of fidelity and commitment to society." | âI know politicians of all parties realise that marriage and the well-being of the family are deeply important to the future of Britain as they help to bring stability and the values of fidelity and commitment to society." |
| People do not give marriage a chance today. People give up too easily Esther Buckingham Send us your comments | People do not give marriage a chance today. People give up too easily Esther Buckingham Send us your comments |
| And he added: "Of course, some people do a courageous job as single parents, or have felt the pain of a broken marriage. | And he added: "Of course, some people do a courageous job as single parents, or have felt the pain of a broken marriage. |
| "But I know that most parents do not want their children to be taught that marriage is just another lifestyle choice. Many, many young people, when expressing their dreams and hopes express the desire to one day be happily married and to have a family.â | "But I know that most parents do not want their children to be taught that marriage is just another lifestyle choice. Many, many young people, when expressing their dreams and hopes express the desire to one day be happily married and to have a family.â |
| Esther Buckingham and her husband Bert from St Albans, Hertfordshire, who celebrate 50 years of marriage in June, are among those attending the service. | Esther Buckingham and her husband Bert from St Albans, Hertfordshire, who celebrate 50 years of marriage in June, are among those attending the service. |
| "We've had our ups and downs, but we are very happy," she said. | "We've had our ups and downs, but we are very happy," she said. |
| "That is not to say that marriage is easy, but people do not give marriage a chance today. People give up too easily.â | "That is not to say that marriage is easy, but people do not give marriage a chance today. People give up too easily.â |
| 'Best for children' | 'Best for children' |
| Finola Turner, from Northolt, west London, who has been married for 40 years, said: âWe need marriage. It is best for children. They need the stability of having two parents who will always be there." | Finola Turner, from Northolt, west London, who has been married for 40 years, said: âWe need marriage. It is best for children. They need the stability of having two parents who will always be there." |
| Marriage rates in England and Wales are at their lowest since records began, but it remains the most common form of domestic partnership. | Marriage rates in England and Wales are at their lowest since records began, but it remains the most common form of domestic partnership. |
| In 2006, the number of marriages fell by 4% on the previous year to 236,980, according to the Office for National Statistics. | In 2006, the number of marriages fell by 4% on the previous year to 236,980, according to the Office for National Statistics. |
| The divorce rate is at its lowest level since 1984. In 2006 there were 12.2 divorcing people per 1,000 married population, a 7% drop on 2005. | The divorce rate is at its lowest level since 1984. In 2006 there were 12.2 divorcing people per 1,000 married population, a 7% drop on 2005. |
| Cohabitation has roughly doubled in the past 20 years to 24% of men aged under 60 and 25% of women. | Cohabitation has roughly doubled in the past 20 years to 24% of men aged under 60 and 25% of women. |
| Statistics from the Catholic Directory show 10,465 marriages between Catholics in 2006 - down 4.5% from the previous year. | Statistics from the Catholic Directory show 10,465 marriages between Catholics in 2006 - down 4.5% from the previous year. |