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getting subtly blurred and distorted”. 115 Generally in the states of Kerala,
Goa and Tamil Nadu in India, Christian families are known for their faith
and moral life. However, in the present context, such a positive image of
Christian families is changing, as Varghese Pulickal states: “Earlier, a
religious minded family or the ‘God fearing family’ was considered as a
very good family. Morally upright persons were held in high esteem and
occupied highly respected place in the society. But today, money and wealth
have become the primary values of society degrading moral principles”. 116

4.3.3.2 Affected Family Stability

Furthermore, the CBCI notes that, owing to socio-economic factors,
family stability and relationships have been weakened in Indian families.
Husband or wives migrating for work in other countries have caused
difficulties in family relationships and functions. The Indian bishops
observe: “The stability of family life which has been the characteristic
feature of family life in India has also undergone considerable change….
(A)s a result husbands/wives often shortly after marriage leave home in
search of better prospects. Family life has greatly suffered because of
this”. 117 The cultural, linguistic and social differences of their new countries
affect the parties, especially if the children are born and bought up in the
new country.

4.3.3.3 Nuclear Families Deprived of Ties

Today new problems are faced by Christian nuclear families. Family
ties, which traditionally assumed the extended families, have slowly been
reduced to that of only the nuclear reality of husband-wife-children.
Because of the absence of the extended support system, when there is a
death of one of the parents, the nuclear family situation can become quite
distressing and stressful. The single parent not only suffers the physical loss
of a partner, but also suffers spiritually, morally and, at times, economically.
Bringing up the children becomes another real issue. The Catholic Church is

115
AROCKIASAMY, S., “The Family and the Culture of Life”, in Vidyajyoti, Vol. 68/1,
New Delhi, 2004, p.1.
116
PULICKAL, VARGHESE, The Role of the Catholic Parents In The Moral Formation
Of The Young: The Church Of Kerala In Perspective, Pontificia Universitas Sanctae Crucis,
Romae, 2001, p. 20.
117 Catholic Bishops Conference Of India, CBCI Communication to the Synod of Bishops
1980 on its theme “The Role of the Christian Family in the Modern World”, Ranchi, 17-25
October, 1979, in DONALD H. R. DE SOUZA (ed.), Final Statements of the General Body
Meetings of the Catholic Bishop Conference of India 1966-2002, New Delhi, 2002, p.68.

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