Wini – The community of Wini Parish participated in the first international seminar conducted by the Bible group as part of the research team. The seminar was a part of the community service activities, which took place on November 26, 2024, on the stage at the Parish of São Francisco Xavier, Wini, Indonesia.
The speakers for this international seminar were Professor Ligório Borromeu and Father Siprianus S. Senda, Pr. The topic for this seminar was derived from the general theme of the international research: “Instilling the Moral Values of Catholic Marriage for the People of Sacato-Wini.”
Professor Ligório Borromeu, the first speaker, shared insights on “The Hindrance of Divorce in the Family from the Biblical Perspective.” His presentation focused on marriage, family, and Divorce. Professor Ligório stated that the aim of these community service activities is to deepen fundamental knowledge and reinforce the basic values of Catholic marriage that participants have received. This research activity presents two main aspects of Catholic marriage, emphasizing that Catholic marriage is monogamous, permanent, and indissoluble. The first aspect relates to the sacred principle of marriage, and the second aspect concerns the monogamous, permanent, and indissoluble nature of Catholic marriage.
The second speaker, Father Siprianus S. Senda, Pr., linked his speech to “Holy Bible and Prayer in the Family: Efforts to Maintain Marital Unity through Lectio Divina.” In his speech, he highlighted that marital life among Catholics faces significant challenges with the rise of infidelity, often ending in divorce. The Catholic Church does not recognize divorce. The marriage undertaken by a
husband and wife lasts a lifetime.
Therefore, Catholic families should strive to maintain the integrity of marriage. One aspect that should be emphasized by Catholic families is spiritual life. As families of faith, Catholic families should maintain their spiritual life by establishing a habit of family prayer and reading the Holy Scripture. The habit of prayer and reading the Holy Scripture through the method of Lectio Divina is one way to build Christian spirituality within the family. With the spirituality they possess, Catholic families or spouses can preserve the unity of marital life. Spouses help each other in resisting the temptations of infidelity, which is a trigger for divorce.
The international seminar saw maximum participation from the community of Wini Parish. It provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of the moral values of Catholic marriage. The enthusiastic involvement of the community underscored the importance of such initiatives in promoting spiritual growth and strengthening family bonds. (Research Team)