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Document Details : Title: The Sacrament of Marriage as Something Unique to the Catholic Church Subtitle: Thoughts about Separating Nature, Contract and Sacrament Author(s): RUSTER, Thomas Journal: Marriage, Families & Spirituality Volume: 19 Issue: 1 Date: 2013 Pages: 4-12 DOI: 10.2143/INT.19.1.3007291 Abstract : In order to find a solution for the dilemma related to the Catholic Church’s position towards divorced Christians who have remarried it is necessary to review the connections between the three elements which are the foundation for the Church’s teachings on marriage: sacrament – contract – nature. Does every contract concluded between baptized Christians constitute a sacrament, being thus indissoluble? And is the indissolubility of marriage part of nature, of creation? The author demonstrates that separating the aforementioned elements is theologically possible and could be realized in canon law. Given this possibility, the Church could recognize valid marriages which are non-sacramental and therefore dissoluble. In the midst of today’s relationship chaos sacramental marriage will be able to reveal its intrinsic value once it has been relieved of its link to contract and natural law. |
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