Does the Bible say that Christian marriage is a sacrament and more than a mere civil contract?
Yes, and we find the evidence from the mouth of Christ. The Lord tells us: “Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:4-6). St. Paul adds: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her . . . This mystery is a profound one [great sacrament], and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:25,32).
What is the special grace that comes to a couple in marriage?
They are given the divine grace to join their hearts into a more intimate, more lasting, and more holy love. They are enabled to raise their children in reverence or holy fear and love of God.
Does the Bible actually say that married people should not remarry while their spouse is alive?
Jesus made it quite clear: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh . . . So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:5-6).
Does the Bible forbid divorce?
Yes, although many churches, which profess Christ, have permitted it on their own authority. It is evidence that the Catholic Church is the true biblical Church and the one steadfast in Christ and his truths. Difficult teachings are not eliminated or ignored simply because they are difficult or out of fashion. A proper reading of Matthew 19:6-9 shows Christ’s mind on the subject: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.” Then they ask Jesus, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?” Our Lord responded: “For your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity [unlawful or lewd conduct, actually incest], and marries another, commits adultery.” Again, St. Paul adds upon the subject: “To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) – and that the husband should not divorce his wife” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11). “Thus a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies she is discharged from the law concerning the husband. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress” (Romans 7:2-3). Obviously the rights of the husband and the wife are here the same and the law holds for the husband, too.
Does the Catholic Church grant divorces?
No, although there is an annulment process which many Catholics pursue after a civil divorce. If it is determined that there was a serious impediment to a true marriage in the first instance, a marital union might be declared annulled. However, if the marriage were true, it is indissoluble. If the first marriage is a valid sacrament, it can only end at the death of one of the spouses.
Why does the Church forbid marriages among close relatives?
The prohibition in Matthew’s Gospel is certainly part of the answer. Besides violating the natural order, such bonds often prove wanting and the offspring deficient in mental and bodily development.
Why is there the custom of publishing banns?
Often made optional today, or dispensed by lawful authority, banns were published as a public announcement. Not only did this notify a parish community, but it also prevented perilous elopements, and invited general information about their freedom to marry. After such a publication, one would quickly discover if there were a prior promise from either of the parties to marry someone else of if there were a serious impediment to marriage.
What are the duties of husband and wife?
They are to live together in peace, love and fidelity. They are to raise their children as good Christians, sharing each other’s joys and sorrows.
How is this sacramental covenant enacted?
Taking each other’s right hand, they render their vows or consent before the priest or deacon. The priest blesses them and confirms their union. The priest witnesses marriages. Couples, themselves, are the actual ministers of the sacrament. The rings are blessed by the priest and they place them on each other’s fingers with the appropriate prayer. A Nuptial Blessing comes at the end of the service. If it takes place during Mass, and they are both Catholic, they will also receive Holy Communion. The marriage is fully consummated when they go home and share the marital act.
Filed under: Marriage, Morality, Questions, Sacraments, Sexuality |
Blogger Priest 
Father, is it a mortal sin if you are a seafarer and you mastur bate in front of you wife through video call?..we are married in the roman catholic church
And also father, is it a mortal sin to have a ligation after giving birth 3 times through a c-section?..it is medically advised to undergo ligation since the next pregnancy might be risky for my wife?
Thank you father , I hope the Holy Spirit may guide me through you.
My cousin who recently decided to leave the Catholic church at the age of 31 is engaged to be married to a Christian of another denomination. Their engagement is part of the reason she left the Church. She has asked me to be her maid of honor and I am wondering how the church would feel about me being a part of this non-Catholic and likely invalid wedding.
As a convert in RCIA I have to petition for an annulment from my first marriage 20 years ago. This is apparently required prior to confirmation. My first marriage came about only after entering the military and wanting to continue seeing my girlfriend at the time (can only bring a wife with you). I did not want to have children with her at all, and did not plan on staying married after the military or sooner. I believe this may be a valid case for defect of consent, but I’m having a hard time getting information. My views on marriage now are inline with the church, however my concern is that the annulment may be denied. Is this a valid case? If not, what do I do then? Can I still be confirmed? The Catholic Church is the one true church. Does the salvation of my eternal soul hinge on this?
Good afternoon Father,
I am a protestant who is divorced due to my wife’s infidelity! I am in love with a Catholic lady and would someday like to get married! Would this be possible? And if so what is the process?
Thank You
Oliver M.
I am a Catholic woman thinking about getting married in a civil ceremony. My boyfriend is also Catholic, though not practicing. Would the marriage have no validity in the Church? Also, I do not want to have children, which I know is contrary to the Churches teaching, am I to understand that I have no business getting married at all? Thanks
I recieve Holy Communion in my hand and our Parish Priest wants everyone to receive on the tongue . I am confused. I always thought we had a choice to receive on our tongue or in our hands . Please explain how we are suppose to receive our Lord in Holy Communion. Thank you.
I am a 75 year old male .I have had prostate cancer and the radiation treatments. Is it a sin to try and masturbate?
I am catholic husband non catholic both of spouces died married civil ceremony what do we need to have marriage blessed?
I have a question too embarrassing to ask out loud. My husband suffers from erectile dysfunction. He cannot have sexual intercourse and yet it is wrong for me (according to the Catechism ) to relieve his sexual frustration in any other way. Do you have any advice?
Father, my husband and I have only had a civil ceremony but not one within the Catholic church. We did it privately between the two of us and have no disclosed it to anyone. Does the church still recognize this? When we decide to have a Catholic ceremony would it only be a blessing of the marriage or? Thank you. God Bless.
Fr. I am 51years old and Catholic. My husband of 25 years passed away 6 years ago. I want to be remarried to another catholic man in the Church. We applied to the marriage tribunal to get his marriage to be considered Null. He and his wife were Catholic but chose to marry in a Methodist Church. The tribunal declared that marriage null. I spoke with our priest and he tells me we must now go through 6 months of marriage prep classes that include natural family planning. I have tried to explain to him that I am now past child bearing years and after being married successfully for 25 years, I understand how to be married. I really do not want to be “taught” how to be married by a couple in their mid thirties. I just want to do what is right and get married in the Catholic church. What are our options?
My fiancee did not formally leave the church and his ex wife is not a Catholic. They did have a child during their marriage. What would the annulment say about this child?
Are Catholics able to get married in an outside ceremony?
I have several questions.
I am recently engaged. I am catholic but my fiancé is Buddhist. He has all of his sacraments through the Catholic Church but decided as an adult to become Buddhist. Will we be able to have a catholic wedding?
Can a catholic ceremony take place outside?
My fiancé has been married and divorced. He was married through the court. Will this hinder us from marrying?
she is the daughter of my granfather’s brother, not sure what to do.
the cousin once removed was a daughter born from an affair from her dad unkown to me and i meet her as she is of my age as a young adult, i am worried i may have grown feeling more to that of a cousin or aunt
is a 1st cousin once removed to close to have a relationship with?
Between a married man and woman, is anal sex and oral sex permitted by the ctholic church?
My wife had blood clots after her c-section in September. The medication she’s on causes serious birth defects, miscarriages, & still birth. She went on birth control medication.
She might be able to go off the medication, but the chances of a blood clot in the future is high. If she has to stay on the medication, the chance of defects or death will always be there.
She doesn’t want to have any future problems with pregnancies, so she has asked me to consider a vasectomy. I understand it is a sin, but don’t want any future complications. What should I do? NFP hasn’t worked for us, as my wife has irregular cycles. I’m lost and need to know the right decision.