Majority of Catholic couples happy in marriage

Married Catholic couples living in Ireland are largely content with their spouse and would not contemplate divorce, according to new research.

A survey conducted by Accord, the Catholic Marriage Care Service, of the first seven years experience of married life of 712 Irish couples found that 77 per cent of respondents were "very happy" with their marriage.

Moreover, 63 per cent of the couples questioned strongly agreed that marriage has strengthened their relationship, while 90 per cent would recommend that other couples get married.

Accord president Bishop Willie Walsh said: "This survey is clearly good news about marriage. It reassures us that the deeply felt human need for a life long loving relationship -¬ which is marriage ¬- is alive and well.

"The survey's finding that more than three out of four couples are very happy with their marriage is indeed good news. It is also heartening that the majority of couples agree that their relationship of love has strengthened since their marriage."

The study also found that just seven per cent of couples have seriously contemplated that idea of separation or divorce.