The Cause of Adultery According to a Priest: The Manifestation of an Underlying Issue

Fr. Loreto Jaque, a Catholic missionary who teaches Creative Dreamwork at the Pastoral Formation Year Seminary in Cebu City, believes that infidelity is a symptom of a much deeper problem in society. Fr. Jaque believes that people are enslaved by speed and focused on fast food, fast internet, fast life, and even fast decisions on committing and getting married. He emphasized that the church should prepare people emotionally and spiritually for married life, and not just for the wedding. Fr. Jaque also stated that individuals need to be financially, psychologically and physically prepared to make such a commitment. Loving does not necessarily mean being together always, as it can be a risk to propose or decide on marriage only because one misses their partner, without looking into each other’s emotional needs. Fr. Jaque emphasized the importance of dialogue and communication in strengthening marriage and advised individuals to heal from emotional traumas and wounds before going into a relationship, before committing.