Unit 4 Flashcards
annulment
The declaration by the Church that a marriage is null and void, that is, it never existed as a
sacramental union. Catholics who divorce must have the marriage annulled by the Church to be free to
marry once again in the Church.
abortion:
The deliberate termination of a pregnancy by killing the unborn child. It is a grave sin and a
crime against human life.
chastity
The virtue by which people are able to successfully and healthfully integrate their sexuality into
their total person; recognized as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
contraception
The deliberate attempt to interfere with the creation of new life as a result of sexual
intercourse. It is morally wrong because a married couple must remain open to procreation whenever
they engage in sexual intercourse.
convalidation
A wedding ceremony in which a man and a woman in a civil marriage have their marital
union recognized and blessed by the Church.
disparity of cult
A marriage between a baptized Catholic and a non-baptized person.
dispensation:
Special permission to depart from the usual requirements in a given circumstance.
family of origin
The family in which one was raised as a child. Families of origin can include parents,
siblings, extended family members, or others who played a significant role in one’s childhood and youth.
in vitro fertilization
The fertilization of a woman’s ovum (egg) with a man’s sperm outside her body.
The fertilized egg is transferred to the woman’s uterus. The Church considers the process to be a moral
violation of the dignity of procreation.
mixed marriage
A marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic.
natural family planning
A morally acceptable way to time pregnancies based on the observation of a
woman’s naturally occurring times of fertility and infertility.
