695- Is marriage – the permanent union of two individuals – contrary to the law of nature?
“It represents progress in the evolution of humankind.”
696- What effect would abolishing marriage have on human society?
“A return to the life of the animals.”
The free and fortuitous union of the sexes belongs to the state of nature. Marriage is one of the primary acts of progress in human society because it establishes fraternal solidarity and may be found among all cultures, though under the most diverse expressions. Abolishing marriage would therefore be a return to humankind’s infancy, and would place humans even below some animals that demonstrate examples of stable unions.
697- Does the absolute indissolubility of marriage belong to the law of nature or is it only a human law?
“It is a human law that is quite contrary to the law of nature. But humans may modify their laws; only those of nature are immutable.”
698- Is voluntary celibacy a state of perfection that is meritorious in God’s sight?
“No, and those who live that way out of selfishness displease God and mislead others.”
699- Isn’t celibacy a sacrifice for certain individuals who desire to devote themselves entirely to serving humankind?
“That is very different. I said ‘out of selfishness’. Every personal sacrifice is meritorious when it is made for the good – the greater the sacrifice, the greater the merit.”
God cannot be self-contradictory or regard as evil what has been divinely made. Thus, God cannot see any merit in the violation of the Divine law. Even though celibacy per se is not a meritorious state, it becomes such when it constitutes a sacrifice made on behalf of humankind by the renunciation of the joys of family life. Every personal sacrifice with a view to doing good, and without selfish ulterior motives, elevates the individual above his or her material condition.
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