INSTRUCTIONS in the CATHOLIC FAITH by Parish Priests … (Excerpts) Fare, Inc., Des Plaines, IL 60016 . Copyright 1976 – Revised 1986

God Made Marriage … “Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled.” Heb 13:4

The Sins Against Marriage … Divorce and Remarriage

There is no such thing as a divorce.  It is very clear in the Bible that God does not recognize divorce.

Divorce and remarriage is a mortal sin because it is clearly against the law of God.  A divorced person is not even permitted to keep company with another … Here we are speaking only of valid marriages, not invalid marriages.  But do not judge whether your marriage is valid or not; talk to the priest who is giving you instructions.  Remember that no law court can break a valid marriage … “What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” … When you seek a divorce, you are wasting your money because God has never given anyone authority to break a marriage.

Let’s consider the case of a very good wife and mother. She has many children. She has a drunken husband who beats her, runs around with other women perhaps and does not support the family. Suppose that she meets a fine man who would be a wonderful husband and father; yet not even in this case does God make an exception. Even if your partner is in an insane asylum, or if he marries again—you cannot marry again unless the Church declares your marriage null.

The Condition of Marriage Today

Now marriage is almost as it was before the coming of Jesus. Divorce is accepted as normal. Marry as often as you want; there is no shame to it—but really it is legalized adultery.  From divorce come thousands of broken homes.  People want the pleasure of sex, but not children.  Too many children are too much trouble, too expensive; children cause a population burst. 

Some people prefer costly vacation, apartments, fur coats, liquor and so forth, to children.  They want to be free from care and responsibility. Consider today the large number of abortions. Abortion is cold-blooded murder even when performed by a surgeon. 

ABORTION … Abortion is willfully causing the death of an unborn baby in any way.  It is always a mortal sin.  The unborn baby is a human being and has the right to life … Excommunication from the Church is the penalty for the Catholic who knowingly and willingly causes or helps cause an abortion. Excommunication means that he (she) cannot receive the Sacraments; cannot have a Catholic funeral, but can get back into the Church if truly sorry for his (her) crime.

BIRTH CONTROL … “Equally to be excluded, as the teaching authority of the Church has frequently declared, is direct sterilization, whether perpetual or temporary, whether of the man or of the woman.  Similarly excluded is every action which, either in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible.”

UNREPENTED SINS OF IMPURITY (UNCHASTITY OR SEX SINS) MEAN HELL … THE GRAVITY OF SINS OF SEX … Only married partners have the right to full use of their sexual powers, the sacred powers of creation given by God.  All acts or thoughts used deliberately to arouse the sex passion outside of marriage are mortal sins.  In the twentieth century people have many erroneous ideas about chastity. We shall treat of sins against chastity as well as acts and thoughts that are a danger to Christian chastity.  Our Lord said that even sexual desires deliberately entertained are mortal sins … Young men and young women who are keeping company have absolutely no sexual right to each other until they are married … Choose the right partner and your marriage will be a happy one.  Choose a partner who is a good Catholic, one who is regular at Mass, Communion and Confession.  He (she) must be really serious about having children and founding a home.  Catholic law is not in favor of mixed marriages even though for serious reasons dispensations from the law are easily obtained. Mixed marriage can be a source of loss of the Catholic faith, or even loss of Catholic moral practice in many instances.  Any great difference between a couple (age, education, wealth) can cause problems. Differences in a most serious part of life—religion—frequently cause problems.   

“Whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her hath already committed adultery with her in this heart.” Mt 5:28 … ADULTERY, FORNICATION, SEXUAL THOUGHTS AND DESIRES, MODERN DRESS, IMPURE TALK or  MASTURBATION … SINS AGAINST NATURE - they are called sexual perversions. They are always mortal sins unless the victim is a mental case or has not developed a Christian moral sense. They are committed with another person of the same sex, or the opposite sex, or with animals. Homosexuals are not sinners if they do not act out their sexual preferences … Is it possible to lead a pure life?  Not only is it possible, but it is absolutely necessary to lead a pure life if you are to save your immortal soul.  Chastity gives great joy to living. Only the chaste are carefree and joyful in life. The world will become a world of reason and of beauty if men are chaste; the world and life itself will become undesirable if men are impure.

Please note:  The above are only “short highlights” of the more controversial issues within today’s society.  To ensure proper understanding of these and other issues within their intended context, it is necessary to examine the original text.