Chizo AKUJOBI

The Catholic Marriage Forum (CAMF), Ibadan/Ilorin region held its 2026 annual retreat on 5th August, 2026 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Basorun, Ibadan. The retreat captioned “Love that Endures: Keeping the Marriage Flame Alive” was moderated by Rev. Fr. Bernard Abdulazeez, Coordinator, Family and Human Life Commission, Archdiocese of Ibadan.

As an interactive exercise, Fr. Azeez asked, “In marriage, do you believe that love is enough?” The consensus response from participants was that love is enough. A complementary question followed, “What are the things that quench the flame of love in marriage?” Responses such as ‘lack of commitment,’ ‘wrong foundation,’ ‘absence of God,’ ‘lack of trust,’ ‘external influence,’ pride,’ ‘poverty,’ among others were harvested. Lastly, was a question on how the flame of love can be kept alive in marriage, to which participants responded in consensus that marriage without love is dead. Asserting that love is sacrifice, not selfish, is total self-giving, is forgiveness, sincerity, respect, correction, openness, and faithfulness.

The retreat moderator stated that marriage without love is dead and that love in marriage is God Himself. There is more in love than feeling, and emotion; love must be intentional and wanting the best for the spouse. In a relationship between a man and a woman, love is not enough.  Love can never be defined without communication.

Three levels of communication involved in marriage are communication of each spouse direct with God, communication between spouse and communication with others, including the children. There must be good and relative communication at each of the three levels, and more especially spouses must not be strangers to each other.

The flame of love in marriage needs intentional curiosity to be kept alive and must be maintained with respect, and phrases such as never or always should be avoided in communication between spouses. Children have become a hindrance to keeping alive the flame of love in marriage in some families, which must not be allowed. Spouses should always communicate with one voice in handling the children. There must be intimacy and exclusive access to spouse for the flame of love to be kept alive in marriage. 

Furthermore, the worst that can happen to a person, marriage and family is not to pray. Marriage and family collapse because people prepare and spend more resources in marriage ceremonies than for family and married life. Fr. Bernard added that destroying the family and the Catholic priesthood is a target, to which the devil has been investing a lot.

The moderator appreciated CAMF/IBADAN/ILORIN region for organizing the retreat, stating that it has afforded him the first opportunity to be in physical contact with those involved in family and human life activities in the Archdiocese after his assignment as the Coordinator of Family and Human Life Commission of Ibadan Archdiocese. He also appreciated the host Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Ekene Ugwuegbu, whom he described as his formator.    

Other activities during the retreat included exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Confession, Benediction, Mass, and Love Feast.

The Catholic Marriage Forum (CAMF) is an international forum concerned with Marriage and family life, founded by Rev. Fr. Jude Thaddeus Anyaegbu O.P. It organizes talks, seminars, retreats, and marriage theology classes for priests and religious, lay persons, widows, and single. It can be accessed on YouTube.  

 

Picture attached below.