Press Releases
NEW CHURCH OF IRELAND MARRIAGE COUNSELLING SERVICES
The Church of Ireland Marriage Council today announced details of two new marriage counselling services available to couples in the Republic of Ireland.
The new services aim to prepare couples for marriage and to help those who may be experiencing marriage problems.
The Reverend Ted Woods, chairman of the Church of Ireland Marriage Council said: "The Church of Ireland has taken the lead in promoting marriage preparation not only in producing a marriage pack, 'Towards Marriage', but also in contracting five marriage counsellors with the support of a grant from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. Marriage preparation is one of the most important aspects of pastoral ministry."
The trained counsellors will be based in Dublin, Wexford, New Ross and Cork and will work for The Marriage and Relationship Counselling Service (MRCS).
Claire Missen, a marriage counsellor based in Dublin and a member of the Church of Ireland Marriage Council, said: "Research shows that one-to-one marriage preparation sessions are more effective than general group courses. It is this type of individual, tailor-made session for a couple that the Council is promoting and recommending to couples."
An information leaflet on the new services, including fees which are subsidised, will be circulated to all clergy and other interested bodies in the Republic of Ireland later this month.
The five counsellors providing the new services are: Claire Missen (Dublin), Glynnis Good (Dublin), Jean Ruddock (Wexford), Paula Reidy (New Ross) and Deirdre Whitely (Cork).
The Marriage Council was set up by the Church of Ireland General Synod and is involved in a number of initiatives to inform and support marriage.
For further information please contact Claire Missen at MRCS Tel: Dublin: 01 6785256
Further information from:
THE CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
61 - 67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH
Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax: (028) 9032 3554
Email:The Press Office