When you live in a close relationship with another person, conflict is inevitable. However, it is believed that when couples approach their differences in a spirit of Christian love, these differences can lead to a greater understanding, trust and closeness. The importance of forgiveness in marriage is highlighted through section 165 of the Catechism where it states “However, Jesus has not placed on spouses a burden impossible to bear or too heavier than the Law of Moses.”
Marriage between a baptised man and a baptised woman is a sacrament. This means that the bond between husband and wife is a visible sign of the sacrificial love of Christ for his church. As a sacrament, marriage gives spouses the grace they need to love one another in imitation of Christ. In the eyes of the church, even if a divorce is recognised by law, if a person is divorced and then re-marries they are committing adultery. The Catechism states that divorce is immoral as it “introduces disorder into the family and into society.”
There is no doubt that divorce has become more socially acceptable and marriages have become increasingly focused on individual emotional fulfilment. There has been a steady rise in the divorce rate in most western cultures with one in 3 marriages ending in divorce in Australia alone. As women are becoming far more independent it is understood that they no longer have to rely on men for their financial welfare and sustainability. It is also believed that there has been a decline in society’s morals and values as in previous decades, marriage was considered to be sacred whereas now people are beginning to turn away from Christian teachings as divorce and de-facto relationships are becoming far more socially acceptable.
Another contemporary issue that has caused conflict between the Catholic Church and society is the issue of contraception. The Catholic faith strongly believes in the importance of procreation and the education of children in marriage. This notion is expressed through section 1604 of the Catechism where it states ““And God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it” The church believes that contraception is wrong as it is a deliberate violation of the design God built into the human race. The pleasure that sexual intercourse provides is an additional blessing from God, intended to offer the possibility of new life while strengthening the bond of intimacy, respect, and love between husband and wife.
The loving environment this bond creates is the perfect setting for nurturing children. The only way for a catholic couple to be faithful to the church’s teachings on human sexuality and to avoid having children is to use ‘natural’ family planning. Many Catholic’s have decided to disobey the church teaching in this part of their lives, causing a substantial breach between the laity and the church.