Diocesan  Family Life Ministry

Within dioceses the exact role of the marriage and family life ministry coordinator  varies, as do working conditions, salary scale, and structures of line management and accountability. Nevertheless FAMILIAS understands the role of the Diocesan Coordinator of Family Life Ministry to be at least that accepted by the Bishops’ Conference in 1994, that is:

• caring for, supporting and promoting all areas of family life; offering pastoral support to all - clergy and laity - involved in the work of affirming marriage, family life and the parish family

• providing information and resources in family matters for all parishioners and clergy

• organizing training opportunities and coordinating lay involvement

• acting as a link with existing diocesan agencies to support families with a particular need

• strengthening ecumenical links enabling cooperation with other Christian Churches at appropriate diocesan and parish level and where possible offering joint programmes.

In 1998 the Bishops' Committee for Marriage and Family Life produced a short film called The Family to raise awareness of the benefits to a diocese of employing a Diocesan Coordinator of Marriage and Family Life Ministry. You can view this here. If the link does not work please go here to view.