Grace and Marriage

Related to “Are Many Marriages Today Invalid?” (In Depth, July 10 issue):

It would seem that one should be in the state of grace — i.e., without mortal sin — to enter the sacrament of matrimony.

Given the prevalence of cohabitation or having sexual relations at will, is it not likely that many couples are not in the state of grace when they present themselves to the priest to plan the ceremony? Some clergy will require them to live apart for a while before marrying and go to confession.

Perhaps my first premise is not correct. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “‘Inasmuch as it [marriage] is a sacramental action of sanctification, the liturgical celebration of marriage ... must be, per se, valid, worthy and fruitful.’ It is therefore appropriate for the bride and groom to prepare themselves for the celebration of their marriage by receiving the sacrament of penance” (1622).

Note the use of the word “appropriate.” ...

I think it would be worthwhile for the Register to clarify this situation: Does the couple’s state of grace affect the validity of their marriage?

Mary Y. Dilworth

Parkville, Maryland

 

Benedict Nguyen responds: Contrary to popular assumption, being in the state of grace is not a requirement to marry validly. Canon 10 of the Code of Canon Law clearly tells us that for something to be an invalidating factor, it must be expressly established as such. Sacramental and liturgical law does not require that parties be in the state of grace to marry validly.

This holds true for the other sacraments, as well. For example, a young person not in the state of grace is still validly confirmed, a man not in the state of grace can still be validly ordained, a priest not in the state of grace can still confect the Eucharist validly. Each sacrament has its respective, explicit elements necessary to be conferred or received validly.

 For marriage, it is that the parties must have the elements listed for the capacity to get married (Canons 1083-1094), for valid consent (Canons 1095-1107) and (for Catholics) follow the proper canonical form in marrying (Canons 1108-1117). Note that these canons explicitly use the word “valid” or “invalid” or other expressly clear language when establishing an element as necessary for validity.

However, keep in mind that, aside from validity, there is also the element of “fruitfulness.” This means that the sacramental graces are operative in the person. While a person is not required to be in the state of grace to receive a sacrament validly, he or she must be in the state of grace in order for the sacramental graces to take effect.

Thus, e.g., a Catholic groom who has the capacity to marry, gives the proper consent and follows the proper canonical form but is not in the state of grace still leaves the marriage ceremony truly as a husband to his bride. He has received the sacrament of matrimony. However, though he may still have “actual” graces (Catechism 2000), the “sacramental” graces of marriage (explained in Catechism 2003, 1638, 1641-1642, 1661) are present but not working in him. This is because, through mortal sin, he has destroyed charity in his heart and turned away from God (Catechism 1855).

Once his relationship with God is re-established through the sacrament of reconciliation, he does not need to get remarried (he is already validly married), but, rather, now opens himself up for the sacramental graces to operate in his soul.

This is why Canon 1065.2 and Catechism 1622 seriously urge the spouses in getting married to receive the sacraments of penance and the Eucharist in order for their sacrament of marriage to be fruitful.

This important distinction shows why we cannot presume a marriage is invalid simply because someone may be, e.g., cohabitating or fornicating. In fact, Canon 1060 warns against such presumptions.

 

There’s No ‘Catholic Vote’

As we approach the November presidential election, I’d like to call attention to the Register’s report by Brian Fraga — “Is There a ‘Catholic Vote’?” — from February.

I believe the answer is No.

As past elections show, 50% of Catholics voted for a pro-abortion candidate, and it appears we are headed for the same results in the 2016 presidential election. This is sad, disgraceful and alarming, and it reflects the continuing failure of U.S. bishops and their pastors to “shepherd the flock.”

Why has the mindset of some Catholics — that justifies voting for a pro-abortion candidate — remained unchanged? Voting for a pro-abortion candidate amounts to formal cooperation with an intrinsic evil and leaves any Catholic risking the loss of his or her immortal soul.

The absence of instruction of Catholic moral teaching on the critical non-negotiable issues of abortion, “gay marriage,” embryonic stem-cell research, cloning and euthanasia has resulted in the appalling lack of well-informed consciences that would promote well-formed consciences in the minds of Catholic voters. When was the last time anyone heard a homily from the pulpit on any of these issues?

In the same report, the Pew Research Center survey shows, for example, that 57% of Catholics think that Hillary Clinton and 52% of Catholics think Bernie Sanders would be an “average” or better president. Why is any Catholic even considering either of these candidates, both of whom are hard-core pro-abortion?

The abolition of abortion from the landscape of this nation should be the singular issue for all Catholics.

In past elections, Catholics have been irrelevant, as they have negated their influence by canceling each other out with their 50-50 split for pro-abortion and pro-life candidates.

If there were a true “Catholic vote,” stemming from the reflection of a well-formed conscience based upon Catholic moral teaching, it would be instrumental in changing the prevailing culture of death and rid America of the scourge of abortion.

Until America is free of this unspeakable evil, America will not be a blessed and prosperous nation. If we neglect to pursue the moral objectives to defend the defenseless, speak for the speechless and protect the innocent, the least of all Christ’s little brothers and sisters, this nation is doomed to decline and descend into darkness.

For, if we cannot get this issue right, there is no social-justice issue (such as care for the poor, the hopeless, the helpless, the indigent, the handicapped, the disadvantaged, the homeless, the orphan or widow) that will be viewed or addressed from the proper perspective, that is, the right to life and the dignity of every human person.

It is time for Catholics to wake up — and it is time for the U.S. bishops to sound the alarm.

The dismemberment and slaughter of nearly 4,000 babies a day — who are tossed away as medical trash — has been tolerated for 43 years.

For how long should this atrocity continue? Catholics must be made aware that voting for a pro-abortion candidate is not an option if one wishes to remain a Catholic in good standing.

“Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather, expose them, for it’s shameful even to mention things done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12).

Frank Diorio

Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey

 

Almighty Man, or God?

Too many Christian brothers and sisters have replaced divine life with human versions. Popular culture exerts great pressure for such disastrous change — the “faith in God vs. faith in man” battle for the human mind. Given cultural aversion to “oppressive” Judeo-Christian standards, misplaced Godly vision is an understandable, if tragic and unacceptable, progression.

The concept of “Almighty Man” rains down on us — “all that is needed” for today’s individual, family, society and world. The pitch includes faith in man to perform non-heavenly miracles, to do what God-fearing people consider beyond human measure. Ever-present news stories about “climate change” (global warming) seem to embrace the all-powerful, all-wise human vision, specifically urging popular worship at the altar of science.

To very influential “man as God” advocates, science is infallible, holding all answers and solutions to earthly problems. Religious belief, belief in God and faith in God are viewed as dangerous, competing, outdated and intolerable sources of information, morality and behavior. Political correctness holds no need of faith in God. Faith in man is the desired, superior substitute.

A Chinese saying sums up the truth: “Politics is the same since the days of Confucius — the art of manipulating people.”

Totalitarians, denying reality and truth in all aspects of life, naturally find solace and common ground in politicians ready to pitch deception and false reality. Belief in man’s ability to control earth’s climate satisfies ambitions of both.

Political leaders, through constant lies, spearhead elimination of “dreaded” fossil fuels and total reliance on “renewable energy.”

We are not supposed to think about vastly increased costs for electricity in this change, nor huge numbers of energy-related jobs lost, or great decline in quality of life. Secular elites mandate slashing of carbon emissions — the rest of us must follow suit. Inability to discern truth from falsity, and right from wrong, is the desired outcome.

Of course, we shouldn’t notice that these same political geniuses brought two devastating world wars that solved nothing and brought perpetual war in their wakes.

The faith-in-man pitch also fails to see the real risk of wholesale human destruction from ever-spreading nuclear weapons. Genocidal incineration beckons, not from carbon emissions, but from science’s destructive creations.

Godlike abilities simply do not exist in humans, now or ever. Only Our Lord is infinite and all-knowing. Let’s wise up to reality.

Richard Masella

Boynton Beach, Florida

 

Correction

Due to a fact-checking error, a photo caption for the story “The Pope Who Fought Hitler” (Vatican, July 10 issue) incorrectly stated that “Cardinal” Eugenio Pacelli was leaving the Presidential Palace in Berlin in “1939.” The year should have been 1929, as Archbishop Pacelli served as apostolic nuncio to Germany from 1920-1929 and was elected Pope Pius XII in 1939. The Register regrets the error.