Most politicians have no idea of the value of marriage to society, according to the Bishop of Elphin, Dr Christopher Jones.

Bishop Jones asked: when is the last time anyone “ heard of a politician or a Minister of Government speak of the importance of marriage, of family life for parents, for children and for the State.”

He was speaking at a Mass in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

“As I grow older, I become more convinced that people and most politicians have no idea whatever of how important marriage is not only for the married couple but for their children and ultimately for society.”

Marriage, he stated, was the bedrock of a strong and stable society and when the institution of the family was supported and functioned well, society got the benefit. “Research today proves beyond doubt that the family rooted in a loving marriage provides the best possible environment for parents, children and society,” he said.

Stressing that he was “not finger-wagging or making judgements” about people who had children outside marriage, the bishop said that nonetheless “all of us must support and promote the most important institution in the State – family rooted marriage.”

Dr Jones said he recognised relationships broke down “for unavoidable reasons” and that lone parents made “heroic efforts to prepare their children in love for life.”

And he said Irish bishops had become very aware that marriage and married couples faced enormous challenges, notably financial worries, work demands, pressure of time and “a culture that separates sexual activity from commitment.”

Meanwhile, figures produced by Accord, the Bishops’ marriage support agency, show that record numbers of couples used their counselling services last year.

Accord’s annual report for 2010 showed an eight per cent increase in demand by couples for the agency’s marriage counselling service during 2010.

According to the figures, there has been a 20 per cent increase in the demand for marriage counselling in ACCORD centres throughout Ireland since 2008.

Accord provided 43,627 counselling hours in 2010, the highest figure on record.

Communication difficulties between married couples continue to be the primary concern. There was a nine per cent increase in the number of clients listing financial problems as a source of conflict in their relationships.

Meanwhile, Accord noted a drop in the number of people using their marriage courses since 2008, which they said reflected a fall in the number of people getting married.

Bishop Jones, who is Chairman of Accord, expressly encouraged couples to invest at least as much time in their relationships as they do on their jobs, homes and in their hobbies.

He said, “It is a tragedy that many people invest so much of their trust and energy in material things, while at the same time taking their relationships for granted.

“Relationships cannot exist as static unions, they need to be nurtured and grown in love. The greatest joy in life will come from a couple’s relationship and of course the greatest pain and suffering comes from broken, betrayed, relationships.”