Fathers play a vital role in holding society together, and should get more recognition, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has said.  

The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, was speaking alongside other British religious leaders, including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, at an event held by Citizens UK, an alliance of community groups across the UK.

Archbishop Nichols praised fathers for their role in reducing crime rates among young people, helping improve their children’s school grades and social behaviour, The Daily Telegraph reports.

He described fathers as Britain’s unsung heroes and urged politicians to support fathers at the summit in London to discuss ‘family friendly’ Government policies.

Rev Nichols also urged employers to help fathers to support the families by paying them a proper wage.

Fathers, he said, can play a powerful role in shaping the adults their children can become, especially when they have families of their own.

He stated: ‘Committed, faithful fathers are good for their children – for their educational achievement, psychological well-being and their social behaviour.’

Archbishop Nichols argued that fathers can shape the way their sons treat women when they grow up and have an important impact on the self respect of their daughters.

“Girls, with respectful fathers involved in their upbringing learn how they should expect men to treat them.

“They are less likely to become ensnared in violent or unhealthy relationships.”