Catholicism, Marriage, and the Sacrament of Matrimony (U4)

Question 1

Sacrament definition?

Answer 1

External signs of God’s grace within us and are undertaken to sanctify (make holy) those involved.

Question 2

How does the Church view matrimony?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What are married couples signs of, and what are they meant to do for each other?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is the definition of marriage?

Answer 4

Civil union between two people

Question 5

What is the definition of matrimony?

Answer 5

Sacramental union between a man and woman.
- Last sacrament made 1563.
- Gives people more rights and freedoms within society.

Question 6

What is a common law marriage?

Answer 6

Practice throughout history for those that were not considered worthy of legal marriage

Question 7

What does matrimony entail?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Convenant vs contract?

Answer 8

Contract: legal agreement that can be ended

Covenant: An unconditional promise between two persons, a union of Christ and the Church

Question 9

What are the two purposes of matrimony?

Answer 9

Unitive: feel connected to other people

Procreative: drive to continue humanity

Question 10

What are the four conditions for sacramental (Catholic) Marriage?

Answer 10

Freedom, fidelity, permanence, and fruitfulness

Question 11

What is freedom (in terms of a sacramental marriage)

Answer 11

• No social pressure from parents/friends
• No emotional pressure (ex. fear of being alone)
• Welcome each other as a gift freely and full

Question 12

What is fidelity (in terms of a sacramental marriage)

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

What is permanence (in terms of sacramental marriage)

Answer 13

• Indissolubility is not based on emotion
• Based on faith and promise

Question 14

What is fruitfulness (in terms of sacramental marriage)

Answer 14

Desire and acceptance and openness for children

Question 15

What is cohabitation?

Answer 15

Living together, people who engage in a romantic relationship that live together but are not married

Question 16

Findings for those live in cohabitation?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

Stats for cohabitation and premartial sex?

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

What does the Catholic church believes in the way that matrimony is indissoluble?

Answer 18

Marriage is permanent. Matrimony is a bond that lasts for life.

Question 19

What does the state ability in terms of divorce mean for matrimony?

Answer 19

Granting a civil divorce does not dissolve the sacramental bond created by a marriage in the Church

Question 20

What did Jesus express about the indissolubility of marriage?

Answer 20

“What God has joined together let no one separate.” (Mark 10:9)

Question 21

What are the four criteria for a valid marriage?

Answer 21

1. No Impediments
2. Ecclesiastical (Cannon) law
3. Must be observed
4. Consent must be given and received before the Church

Question 22

What does the church say about annulments?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

How does one go through an annulment?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

How are Catholics who have gone through a civil divorce seen in the eyes of the church?

Answer 24

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)

Question 25

What did Jesus say about divorce and remarriage?

Answer 25

“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12)

Question 26

What are three things that consist of marriage in society?

Answer 26

1. Legal commitment
2. Rite of passage
3. An institution

Question 27

What is the legal commitment (in terms of marriage in society)

Answer 27

Create a new social cell. It is endorsed by society, it is a public act declaring their commitment to one another, protected by law and certain social benefits.

Question 28

What is the rite of passage (in terms of marriage in society)

Answer 28

Dating, engagement, marriage, children etc., each a part of a new family

Question 29

What is the institution (in terms of marriage in society)

Answer 29

Existed throughout history, protected by morality and customs, strongest social bonds of society

Question 30

What is the good and bad news about divorces?

Answer 30

• The Number of Divorces has declined significantly since the early 1990s
• Divorce is still far for common now than it was prior to the mid 20th century
• With proper preparation and a better understanding of marriage we can continue to drive divorce rates down