Our current culture in the United States has devalued men and the importance of fatherhood. Think of the movies and television shows that portray fathers as the buffoon, can't do anything right, and wildly out of touch with their children. It's a funny thing about media influence, if you tell someone something enough, they start to believe it. They'll meet your expectations, even if those expectations are low. As a result we now live in a society in which there are too many children whose fathers have abandoned them. If not completely out of their lives, they're no longer in their homes, after separation or divorce. This father-deprivation has an untold impact on children, who will never feel complete.
Father Faustinus Anyamele insists that children have the inalienable right to a healthy relationship with both parents. That even in situations of divorce, parents must work together to ensure that their children see their parents respect one another and work in the child's best interest.
As a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Denver, Faustinus works with children in his ministry, teaching in schools, and counseling families, Father Faustinus is on the front lines, feeling the impact of the broken family. In his book, The Father They Wish to Have; The Act of True Human Fatherhood and Its Consummation, Father Faustinus shares his insight and offers real strategies for men to maintain a strong paternal relationship with their children. Strategies that are applicable for divorced and separated fathers, as well as for dads doing their best to build a strong family unit in one home.
In our interview, Father Faustinus shares his thoughts on the father - child relationship.
"Every child deserves attention, and they know when attention is given to them." says Father Faustinus Anyamele, "And there is nothing that disappoints a child like feeling that his or her father doesn't give him or her attention. At least to hear his or her story, if it doesn't make sense, try to make sense of it."
Father Faustinus emphasizes the importance of fathers, and their true value to their children. This is a program you will want to hear, and we believe you and your children will be served by listening.
The book, The Father They Wish to Have is available in Denver area, Catholic book stores like Gerkens, at Barnes & Noble, and on Amazon.com
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Faustinus is the oldest of six children. His own father died when Faustinus was young, and his uncle, a Catholic priest, took responsibility for the children, and helped their mother. Young Faustinus persisted in his seminary education, and to this day has a very close relationship with his family.
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