|
Internet dating is superficial and reduces human relationships to a commodity, Bishop of Killaloe Willie Walsh said today.
The president of Catholic marriage service Accord made his comments at the launch of a major survey which polled more than 700 couples on their first seven years of marriage.
The study by Amarach Consulting found that 23% of partners met in a pub, followed by 10% bumping into each other at a party.
According to 'Married Life - the first Seven Years' more than half of the couples had been together for at least three years. The average age at marriage is 32 and rising.
"I suppose it is a reflection that a very sizeable proportion of social life circles around the pubs in Ireland. Yes I would be concerned by it. I think there is a lack of social opportunities for young people to meet each other.
"Very often people can meet in the pub after some other sporting or cultural event. There is no doubt that pubs provide a place for people to sit down and talk."
When asked about the increasing number of internet dating sites, he added: "It's very superficial. I think we must never reduce human relationships to a commodity. A deep human relationship is only developed by face-to-face contact and getting to know each other gradually over a long period of time."
Accord has 58 nationwide centres and counsellors hold 54,000 hourly sessions every year with troubled couples.National director Shay Ellis said the survey was the most comprehensive of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland.
"The research analyses attitudes underpinning courtship, cohabitation, relationships, marriage and family size.
"It also looks at overall happiness and the role of the church and state."
Bishop Walsh added: "This survey reassures us that the deeply-felt human need for a life-long loving relationship - which is marriage - is alive and well."
He continued: "The challenge for all of us is to work for a society which truly cares for marriage and family.
"Loving families are not only good for the members of that family; they are also good for the well-being of our whole society."
Amarach surveyed 712 couples at 70 towns and cities across the country.
They had to have been married between 1999 and 2005 and both the husband and wife had to agree to the survey.
In the survey:
98% of couples intend to remain married to the same person.
86% would recommend marriage to another couple intending to marry.
58% of couples live with their spouse before marriage.
93% of children of married couples believe that they are moderately or very religious.
| 
