Byline: Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, has urged couples to safeguard their marriages from social media’s negative effects.
Speaking at the 2025 Chrism Mass on Thursday, April 17, at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity during Holy Week, Okeke delivered his Lenten Pastoral Message, titled “And the two became one: Towards a Christian Marriage.”
Okeke described marriage as a divine institution, stating, “Marriage is a divine institution through which a man and a woman give themselves to each other in a life-long covenant.”
He emphasised its beauty, noting, “The love that exists between husband and wife mirrors the love of God for humanity.” He warned that society’s future depends on healthy marriages, as “marriage… is the nucleus of every society.”
The Archbishop identified challenges facing marriages, including social media misuse, artificial birth control, same-sex unions, divorce, and cohabitation. On social media, he said, “There are many positive contributions of the social media in the advancement and improvement of human life today. However, there are also many negative impacts of social media especially on some major institutions in our society.”
He talked about its harm, stating, “Some couples have become strangers to each other as they live under the same roof but with very limited communications. They are busy with phone calls and text messages with people outside while widening the communication gap within the family.”
Okeke noted addiction to adult content, saying, “Some marriages have suffered a total breakdown because one or both of the spouses are addicted to the adult content of the social media.” He urged couples to use social media wisely to benefit from its positive aspects.
To strengthen marriages, Okeke recommended gratitude, virtues, peaceful conflict resolution, devotion to the Eucharist, and emulating Mary and Joseph. “Gratitude as a virtue is very critical for success in married life. When husband and wife live a constant life of gratitude, their marriage will be like heaven on earth,” he stated. He advised couples to express gratitude to God, their children, extended family, and each other, adding, “Learn to appreciate the good deeds of each other. Learn to complement each other and reassure your spouse of your love.”
The Chrism Mass drew hundreds, including priests, the Chancellor (Rev. Fr. Prudentius Aroh), Vicar General (Rev. Fr. John Bosco Okafor), Vice Chancellor (Rev. Fr. Basil Ekwunife), Catholic faithful, religious, government officials, and politicians.