Monday of Week 16 of Time after Pentecost

Baltimore track

Baltimore Catechism No. 3

Lesson 26 — On Matrimony

Q. 1025.Does not the Church sometimes allow husband and wife to separate and live apart?

A.The Church sometimes, for very good reasons, does allow husband and wife to separate and live apart; but that is not dissolving the bond of marriage, or divorce as it is called, for though separated they are still husband and wife, and neither can marry again till the other dies.

Q. 1026.Has not the Church sometimes allowed Catholics once married to separate and marry again?

A.The Church has never allowed Catholics once really married to separate and marry again, but it has sometimes declared persons apparently married free to marry again, because their first marriage was null; that is, no marriage on account of some impediment not discovered till after the ceremony.

Q. 1027.What evils follow divorce so commonly claimed by those outside the true Church and granted by civil authority?

A.The evils that follow divorce so commonly claimed by those outside the true Church and granted by civil authority are very many; but chiefly (1) A disregard for the sacred character of the Sacrament and for the spiritual welfare of the children; (2) The loss of the true idea of home and family followed by bad morals and sinful living.

Q. 1028.Which are the effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony?

A.The effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony are 1st, To sanctify the love of husband and wife; 2nd, To give them grace to bear with each other's weaknesses; 3d, To enable them to bring up their children in the fear and love of God.