How Togolese Catholic Diocese is Seeking to Prevent Abortions among Young People

“Events are organized to raise awareness of marriage and family among a wider circle of people and to provide guidance to couples and families. Spouses are helped to deepen their mutual love and respect and engage with each other. In many cultures, this partnership approach does not come naturally,” he says.

ACN has expressed a commitment to support the Diocese of Aného in forming young people and helping them to realize the “dream of God '' in their lives.

According to ACN, Africa is considered a continent where family cohesion is highly developed.

Todays, however, more and more African families are being torn apart, the Pontifical charity foundation reports, adding, “Poverty, the influence of the media, the lack of future prospects and other factors lead young people to seek refuge in sexual relations, alcohol, drugs or crime at an early age.”

“Teenage pregnancy and AIDS are widespread and lead to numerous tragedies - especially for the children who come into the world unwanted under these circumstances,” ACN says in the July 25 report.

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In Togo, about 40 percent of its 8.3 million inhabitants are under the age of 15, ACN further reports, and adds, “That is why the bishop of Aného is eager to train lay people to help young people in the parishes learn the importance of fidelity and responsibility and to respect their own dignity and that of their future marriage partner. This will lay the foundation for happy and stable families.”

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