The Diocese of Banjul has embarked on the setting up of Family Support Groups to strengthen families and to create and foster unity between couples of the diocese just after the Diocesan Assembly.

According to Joseph Colley, the Family Support Group coordinator, a handful of the lay faithful within the Greater Banjul Area felt the need to mend the ailing marriages within their surroundings under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Antony Gabisi and Sr. Muriel PM, through who the group was born. “We have had several retreats at the Shalom Retreat Centre inviting would be and married people. The retreats proved worthwhile for they helped to cement and mend many marriages,” he said.

During the Self Reliance Assembly, it came out strongly that marriage was no longer a contract but a coveniant, in which men and women come together to express God’s great gift - love. “The Family Support Group was formed to help form it in all other parishes of the diocese. St. Therese’ parish, Blessed Sacrament and Stella Marist parishes make a cluster for this purpose like other parishes. Bishop Robert Ellison has given his blessing to the group.