‘Marriage is not purely a human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes… Although the dignity of this institution is not transparent everywhere with the same clarity, some sense of the greatness of the matrimonial union exists in all cultures.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1603)
Indeed, we have already discussed that marriage is a Sacrament, a union held up in the Catholic Church as a representation of Christ’s relationship with the Church. In being a Sacrament it stands to reason that marriage is more than just a ‘piece of paper.’
Yet there is a trend in society to see marriage only as a contract complete with pre-nuptial agreements and even a ‘try before you buy’ type mindset where couples cohabitate prior to entering into marriage. Of course, this is all compounded by the relative ease with which marriages may be dissolved by civil divorce. And now, debate continues, as homosexual couples fight to have their relationships recognized civilly, through marriage.
As we have mentioned in a previous article, a Sacramental Marriage is indissoluble, that is it cannot be broken by man by divorce. Whilst the law may recognize a divorce, the Church and indeed God, does not. Those who divorce their spouses, having first married them in the Catholic Church, and who remarry civilly are committing adultery. ‘Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law. It claims to break the contract, to which the spouses have freely consented, to live with each other until death. Divorce does injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign. Contracting a new union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried spouse is then in a situation of public and permanent adultery.’ (CCC 2384)
Just as divorce is a grave offense against the natural law, homosexual unions are ‘contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.’ (CCC 2357) Whilst the above quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church may sound harsh or even intolerant, we must understand the Church’s position here. The Church does not discriminate against those who have same sex attractions, rather the Church insists that they must be treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity.
However, homosexual persons are called to live a life of chastity, just like everyone else who is living out a single life. It is not until homosexual persons act on their attraction to others of the same sex that they are committing a sin. It is in regard to the recognition of such relationships as normal or as acceptable that the Catholic Church must speak out.
God created male and female to come together and be joined in the bond of matrimony. Their complementarity as male and female persons results in a coming together, as one flesh, that cannot be achieved by those in same sex relationships.
Homosexual unions will never be approved or sanctioned by the Catholic Church because they are contrary to God’s law, to natural law and to the dignity of the Sacrament of Marriage. The natural law calls man and woman to join in the intimate union of marriage that is both a total gift of self, one to the other, and open to the blessing of new life.
To this end, divorce and homosexual marriage are working against, or devoid of, these fundamental elements. Marriage is much more than a human institution, one that should be revered and respected in its fullest and truest sense. Those who live out marriage as it is intended are witnessing to the nuptial love that Christ has for his Church (cf. Ephesians 5:25).
Originally posted 2015-01-08 21:47:41.