LAGOS – The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, on Saturday advised parents to teach their children and wards good moral values to make them useful to the society.
Martins made the call at a group wedding organised by Epe Deanery under the Lagos Archdiocese.
The group wedding, made up of 80 couples, was part of events marking the Lagos Archdiocesan Year of the Family 2014.
Its theme was: “The Family as a Domestic Church’’.
He said that parents were the first teachers and custodians of morals and core societal values which should be exhibited through words and character.
“As couples and parents, there is need to live exemplary lives, be faithful, express love and complement each other.
“Strive to teach your children and wards to be God fearing to help them fit properly into the society and fulfill their potentials,’’ he said.
The archbishop blamed moral decadence and increase in crime rate among youths on failure of parents to mold the minds of their children to the ways of God.
“’Our children are the world’s most valuable assets and the best hope for the future.
“Therefore, they need to be given extra attention in order not to be swept away with the glamour of modern civilisation,’’ he said.
Martins said that achieving a society devoid of crime and vices required collaboration of the government, education and religious institutions.
He also urged stakeholders in the education sector and religious leaders to promote the teaching of morals to complement the efforts of parents. (NAN)