The Darren Fernandes who is one half of the couple interviewed is almost certainly of Goan descent, which means in turn that he is almost certainly from a Roman Catholic background.  Goan people are usually strongly Catholic, so it is sad to find such secularism eroding their family life too. 

Of course, the logic used by the young woman can be turned on itself.  She says that there is no reason to get married because marriage would not change anything in their partnership.  But if marriage would not change anything then there is also no reason not to get married.  This makes me wonder whether deep down such apparently insouciant couples know subsconsciously that marriage does indeed change a good deal.  It deepens a relationship, it makes demands on both husband and wife, it is a way of sacrifice - and of fulfilment.  It takes courage and faith.

“Bishop (Stuart) Robinson said the reduction of pastoral offices was alarming, as it meant the Church had missed two generations.
Since the 1970s, the Church had failed to address a very significant decline in attendance, he said.
‘The reality for us is a decline of about 40 per cent in children’s ministry,’ he said.
This meant the Church was losing traction in the community.
‘I am certainly pondering what one needs to do.’‘’

Oops! We missed two generations!

I am glad to see that the finger pointing is not at society, or culture, but back on us.

Staurt Robinson is an evangelical with an eye to mission in Australia’s capital.