SEPARATION AND REFUSING THE MARRIAGE DEBT
But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render the debt to his wife, and the wife also in like manner to the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. And in like manner the husband also does not have power over his own body, but the wife. Defraud not one another, except, maybe, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer; and return together again, lest Satan tempt you for your incontinence.
DIVORCE
And the Pharisees coming to Him asked Him: Is it right for a man to put away his wife?’ tempting him. But he answering, saith to them: ‘What did Moses instruct you?’ Who said: ‘Moses permitted to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away.’ To whom Jesus answering, said: ‘Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you that precept. But from the start of the creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother; and shall cleave to his wife. And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.’ And in the house again His disciples asked Him concerning the same thing. And He saith to them: ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if the wife shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” (Mark 10:2-12)
BIRTH CONTROL
Juda, therefore, said to Onan his son: Go into thy [deceased] brother’s wife and marry her, that thou mayst raise seed to thy brother. He knowing that the children should not be his, when he went into his brother’s wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother’s name. And therefore the Lord slew him because he did a detestable thing.” (Genesis 38:8-10)
What are the sins against marriage? Refusing the marriage debt. Unlawful separation.
Divorce. Sinful company keeping.Adultery.Birth control.Abortion.Sterilization.What is the marriage debt? The “marriage debt” means that a married person is obliged, under penalty of mortal sin, to give his (or her) married partner sexual intercourse whenever it is reasonably requested for.
Lawful excuses for refusing: Adultery, sickness, drunkenness, insanity, non-support, danger to an unborn baby. Should a married person always insist on the right to intercourse? No, because a marriage cannot be successful unless it is founded on love and unselfishness. Why is it a mortal sin to separate from your partner? Separation in a valid marriage is a mortal sin because God said so. To separate means to refuse the marriage debt (mortal sin).A separated person is tempted to commit adultery or some other sin.
Children cannot be properly trained.
Is a validly married person ever permitted to separate from his (her) spouse? Yes, but only for a very serious reason, and only with permission of the bishop. Why is divorce and remarriage a mortal sin? Because it is clearly against the law of God.Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her that is put away from her husband, committeth adultery. (Luke 16:18)A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband dies, she is free: let her marry to whom she will; only in the Lord.”(1 Corinthians 7:39)
May a separated or divorced person keep company with another? No, not if the marriage is valid, because such a person is still married, and a married person is never allowed to keep company with another. Therefore while her husband liveth, she shall be called an adulteress, if she is with another man. (Romans 7:3)
What is adultery? Sexual intercourse between a married person and someone to whom he (or she) is not married. What is the sin of birth control? Doing anything before, during or after intercourse to keep the woman from becoming pregnant. Marriage honorable in all, and the marriage bed undefiled.”(Hebrews 13:4)He [Onan]when he went into his [deceased] brother’s wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother’s name. And therefore the Lord slew him because he did a detestable thing.” (Genesis 38:9-10)
Is birth control ever allowed by God? No, it is always a mortal sin He [Onan].when he went into his [deceased] brother’s wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother’s name. And therefore the Lord slew him because he did a detestable thing. (Genesis 38:9-10)What is the sin of abortion? Killing an unborn baby. Thou shalt not kill.” (The Fifth Commandment)Is abortion ever allowed to save a mother’s life? No, because to take away the life of any innocent human being, even that of an unborn human being, is always murder.
