"Catholic Social Thought": MARRIAGE, THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAMILY

• 215.
• “The family has its foundation in the free choice of the spouses to unite themselves in marriage, in respect for the meaning and values of this institution that does not depend on man but on God himself.”
• Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 48: AAS 58 (1966), 1067-1068.
• Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 48: AAS 58 (1966), 1067.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1603.
• Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 48: AAS 58 (1966), 1067.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1639.
• 216.
• “No power can abolish the natural right to marriage or modify its traits and purpose.  Marriage in fact is endowed with its own proper, innate and permanent characteristics.”
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1603.
• 217.
• “The characteristic traits of marriage are: totality, . . . indissolubility and fidelity . . . fruitfulness.”
• John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 13: AAS 74 (1982), 93-96.
• John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 19: AAS 74 (1982), 102.
• 218.
• “In its ‘objective’ truth, marriage is ordered to the procreation and education of children.”
• Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 48, 50: AAS 58 (1966), 1067-1069, 1070-1072.
• John Paul II, Letter to Families Gratissimam Sane, 11: AAS 86 (1994), 883-886.
• “Nonetheless, marriage was not instituted for the sole reason of procreation.”
• Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 50: AAS 58 (1966), 1070-1072.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2379.

• 219.
• “By Christ’s institution, the baptized live the inherent human reality of marriage in the supernatural form of a sacrament, a sign and instrument of grace.”
• John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 12: AAS 74 (1982), 93.
• John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 13: AAS 74 (1982), 93-94.
• Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, 48: AAS 58 (1966), 1067-1069.
• 220.
• “The sacrament of marriage takes up the human reality of conjugal love in all its implications.”
• John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 47: AAS 74 (1982), 139.
• John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 48: AAS 74 (1982), 140.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1656-1657.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2204.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

"For more than a decade bishops, theologians, and other experts worked on a 'compendium of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals.' The fruit of their work was the catechism, an organized presentation of the essential teachings of the Catholic Church in regards to both faith and morals, 'in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole of the church’s tradition.'”  - USCatholic.org

Familiaris Consortio

"The family in the modern world, as much as and perhaps more than any other institution, has been beset by the many profound and rapid changes that have affected society and culture. Many families are living this situation in fidelity to those values that constitute the foundation of the institution of the family. Others have become uncertain and bewildered over their role or even doubtful and almost unaware of the ultimate meaning and truth of conjugal and family life. Finally, there are others who are hindered by various situations of injustice in the realization of their fundamental rights."  - Pope John Paul II

Gaudium et Spes

"The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of men. United in Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of their Father and they have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for every man. That is why this community realizes that it is truly linked with mankind and its history by the deepest of bonds."

Gratissimam Sane

"Among these many paths, the family is the first and the most important. It is a path common to all, yet one which is particular, unique and unrepeatable, just as every individual is unrepeatable; it is a path from which man cannot withdraw. Indeed, a person normally comes into the world within a family, and can be said to owe to the family the very fact of his existing as an individual."