One hundred and nine couples made the solemn vow to live together, for better for worse at St Martins’s Catholic Church, Masaka in Nasarawa state on Saturday.
They were joined together in holy matrimony by Most Rev. Mathew Audu, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lafia, who urged in-laws not to interfere in their affairs.
Audu, who was on his third pastoral visit to St. Martin`s Catholic Church, Masaka, appealed to relatives of the new couples to allow them to build their marriages.
“As newly wedded couples, you must love each other just as Christ Jesus loved the church and died to set souls free.
“You must respect each other’s feelings; care for each other, share views and reason together in peace and unity. You must not allow a third party to come into your matter; always invite God to intervene in your case.
“Ensure that you are coordinated in all your dealings and make the word of God your standard, your pillar, your faith and your hope.
“If you can keep these entire commandments, your marriage will be perfect and other couples will want to copy from you,’’ he said.
The Bishop, who also confirmed 1,390 faithful, blessed 56 Eucharistic Ministers and 76 lectors, saying the blessing would strengthen their faith.
He said that the confirmation and the blessings the members received would energise them to evangelise to people and win more souls into the kingdom of God.
Audu said that confirmation in the Catholic Church was the sacrament which reaffirmed a person’s status in the church.
He advised the members who were confirmed to keep doctrines of the Catholic Church and ensure that they carried out responsibilities given to them diligently.
“The Catholic Church sees confirmation as a rite in which grace falls on the person confirmed as they announce their commitment to God and the Church,’’ he said.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Jude Maigari, Parish Priest of the parish, said that the mass wedding was a culture imbibed by the church to enable couples with little finances wed in the church.
He encouraged the couples to heed the advice given by the bishop saying it would help them to live in peace and harmony.