Catholicism, Marriage, and the Sacrament of Matrimony (U4) Flashcards
Sacrament definition?
External signs of God’s grace within us and are undertaken to sanctify (make holy) those involved.
How does the Church view matrimony?
A sacrament, more than a simple contract or agreement.
- Thus: matrimony is a holy and sacred bond between two people brought about by the Grace of God
What are married couples signs of, and what are they meant to do for each other?
Signs of Christ’s love and examples of the unselfish and freely given love that christ calls all people to engage in. Called to help each other become the best person they can be.
What is the definition of marriage?
Civil union between two people
What is the definition of matrimony?
Sacramental union between a man and woman.
- Last sacrament made 1563.
- Gives people more rights and freedoms within society.
What is a common law marriage?
Practice throughout history for those that were not considered worthy of legal marriage
What does matrimony entail?
Covenantal bond between a man and a women
- Freely chosen - no social pressure
- Open to having children
- Sacramental bind is performed in a church
- The ‘presider’/priest represents community
- Couple marries each other
Convenant vs contract?
Contract: legal agreement that can be ended
Covenant: An unconditional promise between two persons, a union of Christ and the Church
What are the two purposes of matrimony?
Unitive: feel connected to other people
Procreative: drive to continue humanity
What are the four conditions for sacramental (Catholic) Marriage?
Freedom, fidelity, permanence, and fruitfulness
What is freedom (in terms of a sacramental marriage)
- No social pressure from parents/friends
- No emotional pressure (ex. fear of being alone)
- Welcome each other as a gift freely and full
What is fidelity (in terms of a sacramental marriage)
- Both partners must help each other to remain faithful to their love
- Accept the full and exclusive integration of the other into one’s life
What is permanence (in terms of sacramental marriage)
- Indissolubility is not based on emotion
- Based on faith and promise
What is fruitfulness (in terms of sacramental marriage)
Desire and acceptance and openness for children
What is cohabitation?
Living together, people who engage in a romantic relationship that live together but are not married
Findings for those live in cohabitation?
- More likely to report suffering anxiety and depression
- Have unhappier marriages according to some studies
- Low levels of religious importance related to higher levels of cohabitation
- Those sexually active before marriage are much more likely to divorce
- Likely to have fleeting romance rather than long lasting relationships
- Report lower satisfaction with their sex lives according to studies
- Those who choose to marry rather than live together live longer and healthier
Stats for cohabitation and premartial sex?
- Experience 50% higher divorce rate (once married)
- 80% chance that their relationship will end
- 40% breakup before they marry
- 40% divorce within 10 years of marrying
- Those who had engaged in sex before marriage were more likely to commit adultery
What does the Catholic church believes in the way that matrimony is indissoluble?
Marriage is permanent. Matrimony is a bond that lasts for life.
What does the state ability in terms of divorce mean for matrimony?
Granting a civil divorce does not dissolve the sacramental bond created by a marriage in the Church
What did Jesus express about the indissolubility of marriage?
“What God has joined together let no one separate.” (Mark 10:9)
What are the four criteria for a valid marriage?
- No Impediments
- Ecclesiastical (Cannon) law
- Must be observed
- Consent must be given and received before the Church
What does the church say about annulments?
If a couple has not been able to properly fulfill the conditions necessary to enter into the marriage covenant an annulment may be allowed.
- If one or both spouses did not understand matrimony/duties involved, were not psychologically capable of entering a marriage/ deceived
How does one go through an annulment?
Go through a process of scrutiny by the Church during which they, their spouse and those close to them may be interviewed in order to determine if the sacrament was valid.
How are Catholics who have gone through a civil divorce seen in the eyes of the church?
Catholics who have been given a civil divorce but have not received an annulment are still considered to be married in the eyes of the Church
- Can’t remarry in the church (considered adultery to have a marital/sexual relationship with another person)
