Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A CALL TO THE YOUNG: YOU'RE READY – GET MARRIED!
Dear marriage supporter,
I spoke to a man who influences marriage policy for upwards of 70 million people. Dominic Lombardi is Executive Director of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has a deep concern for the future of marriage. In our conversation, we discussed the urgent need to restore a culture of lifelong commitment between men and women, the importance of male and female identity, and how rebuilding marriage is the only route to reviving society itself. You can watch the full conversation here.
Dominic highlights the deep connection between family structure and societal stability. He observes that “the disarray of young people is also connected to the disarray of family”, and stresses that fathers and mothers are “crucial and irreplaceable”. We note that fewer people are getting married, more children are born outside of marriage, and those who do marry tend to do so later, all contributing to a demographic crisis.
In response, the Catholic Church in the US is calling young people to embrace marriage and family as central to a hopeful future. Dominic refers to Pope Francis’s recent call to young people: “Make the commitment to get married and to have children because children are the most concrete manifestation of hope.” He acknowledges that waiting too long to marry and start a family can make it harder: “You probably are ready, frankly. The longer you wait, the harder it is”, he says.
Dominic also underlines the vital role of community in sustaining marriages and family life. “Families need one another”, he says, emphasising the importance of support networks in raising children and maintaining strong relationships. He sees marriage not as a risk but “the adventure of marriage”, a journey of faith and commitment.
We know that marriage is the core of our culture. When marriage is weak, society suffers. To revive our society, we must revive marriage. We must encourage young people around us to step forward and embrace this great commitment. Dominic’s remarks affirm the wider evidence: marriage is the best foundation for raising children, building stable societies, and ensuring long-term personal fulfilment. Yet, in the US as in the UK, marriage is in decline.
C4M’s mission to reaffirm its value is perhaps the most pressing cause of our age.
If you would like to support us financially, you can do so via the donate button at c4m.org.uk
Dr Tony Rucinski
facebook.com/coalition4marriage
A CALL TO THE YOUNG: YOU'RE READY – GET MARRIED!
Dear marriage supporter,
I spoke to a man who influences marriage policy for upwards of 70 million people. Dominic Lombardi is Executive Director of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has a deep concern for the future of marriage. In our conversation, we discussed the urgent need to restore a culture of lifelong commitment between men and women, the importance of male and female identity, and how rebuilding marriage is the only route to reviving society itself. You can watch the full conversation here.
Dominic highlights the deep connection between family structure and societal stability. He observes that “the disarray of young people is also connected to the disarray of family”, and stresses that fathers and mothers are “crucial and irreplaceable”. We note that fewer people are getting married, more children are born outside of marriage, and those who do marry tend to do so later, all contributing to a demographic crisis.
In response, the Catholic Church in the US is calling young people to embrace marriage and family as central to a hopeful future. Dominic refers to Pope Francis’s recent call to young people: “Make the commitment to get married and to have children because children are the most concrete manifestation of hope.” He acknowledges that waiting too long to marry and start a family can make it harder: “You probably are ready, frankly. The longer you wait, the harder it is”, he says.
Dominic also underlines the vital role of community in sustaining marriages and family life. “Families need one another”, he says, emphasising the importance of support networks in raising children and maintaining strong relationships. He sees marriage not as a risk but “the adventure of marriage”, a journey of faith and commitment.
We know that marriage is the core of our culture. When marriage is weak, society suffers. To revive our society, we must revive marriage. We must encourage young people around us to step forward and embrace this great commitment. Dominic’s remarks affirm the wider evidence: marriage is the best foundation for raising children, building stable societies, and ensuring long-term personal fulfilment. Yet, in the US as in the UK, marriage is in decline.
C4M’s mission to reaffirm its value is perhaps the most pressing cause of our age.
If you would like to support us financially, you can do so via the donate button at c4m.org.uk
Dr Tony Rucinski
facebook.com/coalition4marriage

![The Cousin Marriage Debate - Tim Dieppe interview with Tony Rucinski
Dear marriage supporter,
Tim Dieppe is Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern. He sat down with me to unpack the arguments around cousin marriage from a recent article he wrote and why this matters for marriage as a public institution. You can listen to Tim explain his arguments fully in our discusion here:
This debate has been back in the news. NHS England has faced scrutiny over training materials that reportedly spoke of “potential benefits” of first-cousin marriage, and suggested genetic risks had been “exaggerated”.
Tim’s argument begins with a simple premise about what marriage is: “I think marriage is meant to be a public institution endorsed by the state and protected by law”. That is why he argues the cousin marriage question cannot be shrugged off as a technicality.
He presses a practical point that is often missed: “Let’s ensure that [all] marriages are registered.” Registration is the gateway to legal protection, particularly for women, when relationships break down. C4M has written about this previously.
A wider theme in the discussion is kinship and coercion. Dieppe argues that restricting close-kin marriage historically helped loosen the grip of coercive clan structures: “The effect of this was to effectively undermine the clan system whereby people are very loyal to their clan”. In that reading, the issue is not only health risk. It is also about freedom and the shape of civic life, he explains.
Tim also tackles a common Christian objection head on: “People say the Bible doesn’t prohibit cousin marriage, therefore we shouldn’t”. His response is that public policy has to deal with modern safeguarding, women’s legal protections, and the reality of coercion.
This subject matters because marriage remains the dominant family form, not a niche choice. The Office for National Statistics estimates that married couple families were still the most common family type in the UK in 2024, making up 65.1% of all families.
Coalition for Marriage supporters come from all faiths and none, and from across the political spectrum. Our common purpose is simple: to champion the original definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and to do so calmly and lawfully, drawing on evidence about family stability and child wellbeing.
If you’re not already supporting C4M financially but would like to help, please click the donate button at http://www.c4m.org.uk
Dr Tony Rucinski
https://www.facebook.com/coalition4marriage/ The Cousin Marriage Debate - Tim Dieppe interview with Tony Rucinski](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PG3zABhlM-c/mqdefault.jpg)
![Help “Stop the decay” of society by promoting real marriage - Steve McQuoid and Tony Rucinski
Dear marriage supporter,
The significance of man-woman marriage to the fabric of our society is emphasised by respected writer and speaker Dr Stephen McQuoid, in our recent interview. His insights are enlightening and give us a guide to bolstering our society by promoting marriage. You can listen to our discussion here.
Referring to his highly relevant book, ‘In His Image: A Biblical Introduction to Social Ethics’, Dr McQuoid paints a vivid picture of marriage’s indispensable role in societal health and harmony. Defending marriage from a historic biblical point of view, the book is a treasure trove of wisdom, relatable not just to individuals of faith but to anyone vested in the well-being of our society.
Dr McQuoid’s analysis reveals a stark link between the decline in traditional marriage and the increase in social deprivation. He poses a fundamental question – “How can you function as a society unless there are boundaries and limitations?” Through this lens, we see the importance of commitment, loyalty, and fidelity within marriage – values that foster stability and create a solid foundation for societal growth.
Drawing from his experiences, Dr McQuoid says, “marriage is of such importance ... it’s [an] utter commitment of loyalty and fidelity to [a] person … it’s a solemn commitment that you make to this individual that you’ll commit yourself for life to this person”.
Our individual role in strengthening society through the promotion of marriage cannot be overstated. Dr McQuoid’s words offer a compelling argument for involvement in this vital cause. The future of our society relies on our collective efforts to uphold and reiterate the value of marriage. This interview is a must-share with any person in your circle who values the institution of marriage!
At C4M we know that man-woman marriage is the stabilising bedrock of society. While some would seek to undermine real marriage, we know that, acting together, our voices of support will prevail.
If you would like to support us financially, you can do so using the donate button on our website at http://www.c4m.org.uk
Dr Tony Rucinski
https://www.facebook.com/coalition4marriage/ Help “Stop the decay” of society by promoting real marriage - Steve McQuoid and Tony Rucinski](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Pj6dIL3fE_o/mqdefault.jpg)






![Revd Dr Joe Boot short clip from full interview with Dr Tony Rucinski https://youtu.be/gwpBEOALfTU
Please see full interview at https://youtu.be/gwpBEOALfTU
THE CHURCH MUST TAKE A STAND ON MARRIAGE
Dear marriage supporter,
Reverend Dr Joe Boot, founder of the Ezra Institute, recently joined me for a must-watch interview, offering essential guidance for all – and especially today’s church leaders. Dr Boot’s intellect and insight shed light on the urgent need for the Church to uphold man-woman marriage. Marriage, he says, is a foundational institution that transcends religious boundaries, with relevance to people from all faiths and none. The full interview is available here https://youtu.be/gwpBEOALfTU, along with this shorter seven-minute clip for those pressed for time.
In our conversation, Revd Dr Boot emphasises that “the message of the Gospel” includes “human identity and sexuality”. Revd Dr Boot offers practical advice on how busy pastors can find time to tackle these cultural challenges, stressing that this should be a vital aspect of their ministry.
He does not shy away from the reality that many non-Christians are deeply disappointed with the Church’s stand on these issues. He insists that “we have to show… compassion and kindness without compromising what is true”.
He quotes that marriage is “the cosmological key to the universe”, emphasising the profound significance of marriage to the stability of society.
The cultural attacks on marriage and family are not new, Dr Boot argues. But the Church cannot afford to stay silent. Emphasising the responsibility of the Church to engage in these cultural battles, he asserts: “You can’t leave that struggle to JK Rowling… [and] Sharron Davies”.
C4M believes that the restoration of real marriage will be driven by the silent majority speaking out. To support this effort, please forward this email to any church leaders you know and encourage them to listen to Dr Boot’s important message.
If you would like to support us financially, you can do so via the donate button at http://www.c4m.org.uk
Dr Tony Rucinski
https://www.facebook.com/coalition4marriage/
http://www.c4m.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/coalition4marriage/ Revd Dr Joe Boot short clip from full interview with Dr Tony Rucinski https://youtu.be/gwpBEOALfTU](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Sgu9AP7pTe8/mqdefault.jpg)
