The Parish and Matrimonial Renewal Centre (PMRC) is an international affiliation of lay Catholics, clergy and religious dedicated to providing innovative programs and resources for Catholic parishes and the boarder Australian Catholic communities. At the heart of its activities are its insights into Matrimony, sexuality and lay empowerment.
Founded in 1975 the PMRC has a long history of service to the Catholic community. Established to help lead the Church into a deeper awareness and experience of the relational nature of the Catholic faith, it aims to invigorate parishes and communities primarily through the empowerment of the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Today, the PMRC is led by lay Catholics who have responded to the call of Pope John Paul II’s “new evangelization”. Its resources and services span all stages of Catholic faith-life formation with a particular emphasis on the Sacrament of Matrimony and sexual love.
PMRC affiliate organisations and their resources are is active in a of number countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Philippines, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Poland and Ireland.
PMRC (Australia) works in the service of Australia’s more that 5 million Catholics through several initiatives:
- PMRC (Australia) Inc: an incorporated association and a registered charity, recognised by the Attorney General’s Department as an organisation providing marriage relationship services in Australia under the Marriage Act.
- The Marriage Resource Centre which also encompasses SmartLoving Resources and CathFamily are initiatives of PMRC (Australia) Inc.
- Antioch: a Catholic youth group that offers the opportunity for adolescents to meet people with common values and expand their faith experience
- PMRC Relationship Education Foundation: a Deductible Gift Recipient Foundation providing funding to organisations and activities that support marriage and relationship education to the Australian community.