Accord meeting hears government must act urgently to deal with pornography
The Catholic marriage care agency Accord held its annual meeting – Cruinniú 2025 – to support and acknowledge the work of its professional members of its two key services: marriage preparation, and couple counselling. Julie Ryan facilitated the gathering that took place in Athlone on 16 May.
Speaking to catholicnews.ie Tony Shanahan, director of Accord, said of the meeting, “Cruinniú 2025 was a day of inspiration, learning, connection and acknowledgement. There were helpful and insightful discussions about Accord’s main objective, namely, our commitment to build stronger, healthier, happier and safe relationships, marriages and families.”
Mr Shanahan continued, “Accord, is the leading organisation dedicated to supporting couples in sacramental marriage. We undertake our work through marriage preparation courses and, as required, supporting couples through relationship counselling. It is so gratifying to witness couples thrive when they have the knowledge, skills and awareness needed for healthy, happy and safe relationships. Accord believes that such relationships are the bedrock of strong and nurturing families, and of thriving communities. Our annual Cruinniú aims to validate, inform and inspire our professional facilitators and couple counsellors and, from feedback to date, the 2025 gathering was a success in this regard.”
This year’s Cruinniú focused on the vital role of preparation, connection, communication, safety, support and community in creating and sustaining lasting partnership and family life. The keynote speaker was Sarah Benson, chief executive of Women’s Aid. Ms Benson spoke about abusive behaviours and abusive relationships, and how people need to be aware and knowledgeable of what constitutes abuse in a relationship. Delegates heard that abusive behaviour from one partner towards another may not always be obvious to the individual, or to others. Ms Benson highlighted the support available and educational resources provided by Women’s Aid for females in abusive relationships.
Richard Hogan, a systematically trained family psychotherapist, also addressed the gathering. The author of Home is where the Start is, Mr Hogan combined both the personal and professional and he emphasised the life-long impact our upbringing has on us as adults. Mr Hogan shared his own experience of childhood and highlighted that – notwithstanding difficulties experienced in childhood – there may also have been a person who was key to supporting a child to develop resilience, a vital psychological tool needed to thrive in life. He spoke of the need for self-awareness as an adult partner and the importance of secure attachment in relationships. He raised the concern of escalating and damaging exposure to pornography by adults, adolescents and young children in terms of its impact on lives and relationships. Mr Hogan advocated for urgent governmental support and action to deal with pornography.
Delegates also heard from facilitator Julie Ryan, deputy MD of the learning and development firm Harvest Resources, who drew on her experience as a board member of Saint Vincent’s Psychiatric Hospital and underpinned the necessity for continual investment in mental health service provision to benefit both family relationships and society at large. Ms Ryan wrapped-up proceedings by succinctly and skilfully summarising the contributions of the day.
ENDS
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