Thursday, March 23, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 262 - Part III.
(Youcat
answer - repeated) A sacramental marriage has three necessary elements: (a)
free consent, (b) the affirmation of a lifelong, exclusive union, and (c)
openness to children. The most profound thing about a Christian marriage,
however, is the couple’s knowledge: “We are a living image of the love between
Christ and the Church.”
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1649)
Yet there are some situations in which living together becomes practically
impossible for a variety of reasons. In such cases the Church permits the
physical separation of the couple and
their living apart. The spouses do not cease to be husband and wife before God
and so are not free to contract a new union. In this difficult situation, the
best solution would be, if possible, reconciliation. The Christian community is
called to help these persons live out their situation in a Christian manner and
in fidelity to their marriage bond which remains indissoluble (Cf. FC 83; CIC,
cann. 1151-1155). 1649
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) The requirement of unity and indissolubility is
directed in the first place against polygamy, which Christianity views as a
fundamental offense against charity and human rights; it is also directed
against what could be called “successive polygamy”, a series of non-binding
love affairs that never arrive at one, great, irrevocable commitment. The
requirement of marital fidelity entails a willingness to enter a lifelong union, which
excludes affairs outside the marriage. The requirement of openness to fertility means
that the Christian married couple are willing to accept any children that God
may send them. Couples who remain childless are called by God to become
“fruitful” in some other way. A marriage in which one of these elements is
excluded at the marriage ceremony is not valid.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1651)
Toward Christians who live in this situation, and who often keep the faith and
desire to bring up their children in a Christian manner, priests and the whole
community must manifest an attentive solicitude, so that they do not consider
themselves separated from the Church, in whose life they can and must
participate as baptized persons: They should be encouraged to listen to the
Word of God, to attend the Sacrifice of the Mass, to persevere in prayer, to
contribute to works of charity and to community efforts for justice, to bring
up their children in the Christian faith, to cultivate the spirit and practice
of penance and thus implore, day by day, God's grace (FC 84).
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