Marriage and the Vatican

The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Church in the Modern World expresses “high esteem” for marriage and family life. Society and culture of today supports that as well but with an additional emphasis on sexual love and relationships. Fifty years ago I’m sure there was a population that did focus on the physical love but with the widespread media of today there is more accessibility to it today. The Second Vatican Council also speaks of the “lofty calling” of spouses and parents. This may give one the impression that one must be married to be a good parent, or a parent at all. There are many people today including single people and teenagers or couples out of wedlock who have children and they could be just as good parents as the next ones. Noted by Pope Benedict XVI, “Conjugal love is not a fleeting event, but the patient project of a lifetime… As such, it needs to be accompanied pastorally and supported in its problems and difficulties.” For example, marital love is a long time commitment, and not just moving from one partner to the next conveniently, which is what a lot of people do today. There’s much more cultural acceptance for divorce and multiple marriages that people believe that if a marriage doesn’t work out they can always try it again next time. Finally, the constitution states, “As spouses fulfill their conjugal and family obligations, they are penetrated with the spirit of Christ.” Some people these days are fine with not having children, even if they are with some one they love. There are also marriages that are purely platonic done out of companionship and perhaps tax reasons. All in all, there are still similarities as well as some changes that have taken place in the last fifty years.