Vatican II

In reading “What Did Vatican II Say About Marriage?” by David Gibson, there were a few thing I noticed in relation to current society.  This may be because I recently watched “The New Normal”, but the main issue that stood out to me is that, in current society, we are more accepting of same-sex marriage.

 

“The title of one of the constitution’s sections refers to “the nobility of marriage and the family,” a nobility to be fostered. Marriage, the constitution says, is a “vocation.””

 

Is there a reason that marriage cannot be revered or a calling to those attracted to the same sex?

 

In addition, “the council esteemed conjugal love as a sign to others of Christ’s own love for the church.”  It also went on to speak about the marriage being a positive force for the entire church.  However, in today’s day and age, less people attend church and controversial views push people away.  Many LGBT people leave because they are not accepted, yet they would certainly add to the marriage influence.

 

“In their 2009 national pastoral letter…the U.S. Catholic bishops [said this about marriage as a vocation]: ‘The church teaches that marriage is an authentic vocation or divine call. As a vocation, marriage is just as necessary and valuable to the church as other vocations.’”

Marriage is just as necessary and valuable to the church.  However, not all forms of marriage are allowed.

“The bishops explain that “the call to love reaches beyond the home to the extended family, the neighborhood and the larger community.” They add that “this marital and familial love finds its complete expression, following the example of Jesus himself, in a willingness to sacrifice oneself in everyday situations for one’s spouse and children.”

-          This statement though is restricted to only heterosexual couples

“Conjugal love is not a fleeting event, but the patient project of a lifetime.”

I believe that people still try to follow a life with one marriage and connection.  In current society, however, the divorce rate is very high and commitment rates are very small.