In a bid to reverse the declining trend of church weddings in Spain, the country’s bishops have introduced an innovative video game titled *Level Up! A Two-player Game*. This initiative coincides with Valentine’s Day and aims to highlight the essential virtues of patience, generosity, and integrity in relationships, hoping to inspire couples to consider the sacrament of marriage.
Declining Church Weddings
Recent statistics reveal a significant drop in church weddings in Spain. In 2024, only 18% of all weddings—31,462 out of 175,364—were conducted in a religious setting, a stark contrast to 2007 when more than half of marriages took place in a Roman Catholic church. This downward trend, along with rising divorce rates, has prompted the Catholic Church to explore various strategies to preserve and promote the institution of marriage.
The launch of *Level Up!* is part of a broader campaign to engage couples and rekindle interest in church weddings. The Spanish bishops’ conference emphasised that the game is not merely aimed at those already in serious relationships but rather seeks to encourage individuals contemplating a stable commitment to consider a church wedding.
Gameplay and Educational Elements
The game features a young couple, Fran and Elena, as they navigate everyday challenges and earn rewards by embodying key qualities that underpin a successful marriage. With its slogan, “El amor, la aventura más épica” (Love is the most epic adventure), *Level Up!* presents players with real-life scenarios, including workplace conflicts, social gatherings, and interactions with ex-partners, facilitating reflection on the complexities of marital life.
Developed in collaboration with students from the Pontifical University of Salamanca and a professional game designer, the bishops’ conference views this digital approach as a fitting response to the contemporary, gamified culture. The initiative aims to make the fundamental aspects of love and marriage accessible and engaging, providing a creative avenue for couples to reflect on their aspirations and commitments.
Complementary Initiatives
The bishops’ conference has previously recognised the need for more comprehensive preparation for couples entering marriage. In response, they established a premarital guidance course lasting two to three years, a significant expansion from the previous 20-hour programme. This course covers various fundamental topics, including communication, fidelity, and conflict resolution, designed to equip couples for the long-term journey of marriage.
Mario Iceta, the former bishop of Bilbao, highlighted the inadequacy of the previous format, stating, “You can’t prepare for marriage in 20 hours,” drawing a parallel to the extensive training required for the priesthood. The new course aims to provide a thorough foundation for the matrimonial vocation, addressing modern challenges such as the pervasive influence of pornography, which the church warns can distort the understanding of marital love.
Why it Matters
The introduction of *Level Up!* reflects a strategic pivot by the Catholic Church in Spain, seeking to adapt to changing societal norms while reinforcing traditional values. By engaging with younger generations through a medium they are familiar with, the bishops aim to rekindle interest in church weddings and strengthen the institution of marriage. As societal attitudes towards marriage continue to evolve, initiatives like these may play a crucial role in shaping the future of religious ceremonies and community involvement in Spain.
