The Encyclical on Marriage The Papal Encyclical upon Christian marriage
which was published on Thursday, January 8th, is long and emphatic. It will be known as Casti Connubii—its opening words. It sets forth the doctrine that marriage being a divine institution and a sacrament cannot be treated like laws of human origin, which admittedly have to be adapted to changing times. "Inviolable stability" —we quote from the translation in the Times—is said to be the essence of marriage. The Pope examines with extreme candour all the teaching and practice which in his view is threatening Christian marriage. He deals with divorce, birth control, experimental or companionate marriages, abortion, eugenics, sterilization of the unfit, sex education, the obedience of the wife to the husband, and maternity work. Among the fatal influences he includes theatrical productions, amorous novels and films. These things, he says, "not secretly, nor under cover, but openly, with all sense of shame put aside, trample upon and deride the sanctity of marriage."
Previous page
