Young adult Catholics learn how not to marry a 'jerk' or 'jerkette'

Published: 2004-10-29

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio (CNS) -- Young adults in their 20s and 30s are often searching for their life mates, and Catholics are no different. That's why John Van Epp's workshop on "How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk(ette)" was a popular part of the Oct. 15-17 National Young Adult Conference, sponsored by the Cleveland diocesan Youth & Young Adult Ministry and CYO offices, the Catholic dioceses of Ohio, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association. Thirteen men and 44 women got a crash course in Van Epp's five-part relationship attachment model, which he teaches to members of the U.S. armed services and other groups. He has a video, DVD and Web site (www.nojerks.com) and even offers certification in the model. "Choosing a marriage partner requires your heart to work in harmony with your head," Van Epp said. "The program is more than marrying a certain type of person, but rather getting to know what a person is like."

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .