Effects of domestic violence on christian family in Minakulu Parish Lira Diocese in Light of Amoris Laetitia

Abstract

Domestic violence is a widespread phenomenon among socio-cultural groups and geographical settings that largely impacts women and children. However, domestic violence affects all members of the family. This is very detrimental to the growth and development of children, who are potentially valuable investments for the nation. Violence creates a very stressful environment for children, which is overcome by anxiety, anger, and fear. Perhaps children and their mothers are very vulnerable to domestic violence, which ravages their peace and permanent habitat for life. Family is an essential habitat for every human being, without which human existence would be a vain phenomenon. Every A human being is born and raised in a family, irrespective of the status of such a family. This family existence is inseparable from the existence of the mother and father (and children), on whom the family depends and sustains. Every child is the product of a union between a father and a mother and has the right to belong to their very life. The coexistence expected to be manifested in the family between children and parents is what defines a family. Parents are the guardians and protectors of children, and children are seeds of continuity in parenthood. Each of the two categories existing in the family has a shared responsibility to work towards the common good of the family. Parents should foster good morals in their children, nurture them in the way of the Lord, educate and provide shelter for them, and protect them from all sorts of unforeseen circumstances that may be obstructing their growth and development. Children should learn to acquire good aptitudes to be ready to grow and develop into good citizens. Over time, there have been recurring challenges and catastrophes that encroach on the family and its members, rendering them indecisive in matters concerning the promotion of life and the existence of life within the family. Some are natural, while a greater percentage is initiated and nurtured by the family members themselves through their ways of life and behaviors, which eventually hinder their progress. If not sought for a quick solution, then family life is vanquished and raptured apart, leading to misallocation of family talents and progress; marital relationships come to extinction; parents live in the I diaspora; children are torn apart; every family member is not concerned for one another; and family life becomes history. Hence, this research was intended to locate situations existing in family life that contravene the primary aim of the institution of family as one great intention and wish of God for human beings. With the help of the magisterial teaching of the Church and, in particular, the guide of Amoris Laetitia (A.L.), a papal document of Pope Francis, the researcher aimed to establish a possible solution to the problem pervading family life and the Church, especially in as far as violence in the family is concerned, which has become too common and a point of concern for the Church.