Folia Theologica 19. (2008)

Hámori Antal: Human dignity in church Teaching

HUMAN DIGNITY IN CHURCH TEACHING

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dergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes. These differences should not cause us to forget its common and permanent characteristics. Although the dignity of this institution is not transparent everywhere with the same clarity, some sense of the greatness of the matrimonial union exists in all cultures. „The well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life."25

So that the „I do" of the spouses may be a free and responsible act and so that the marriage covenant may have solid and lasting human and Christian foundations, preparation for marriage is of prime importance. The example and teaching given by parents and families remain the special form of this preparation. The role of pastors and of the Christian community as the „family of God" is indispensable for the transmission of the human and Christian values of marriage and family,26 and much more so in our era when many young people experience broken homes which no longer sufficiently assure this initiation: „It is imperative to give suitable and timely instruction to young people, above all in the heart of their own families, about the dignity of married love, its role and its exercise, so that, having learned the value of chastity, they will be able at a suitable age to engage in honorable courtship and enter upon a marriage of their own."27

„From a valid marriage arises a bond between the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive; furthermore, in a Christian marriage the spouses are strengthened and, as it were, consecrated for the duties and the dignity of their state by a special sacrament."28

„The unity of marriage, distinctly recognized by our Lord, is made clear in the equal personal dignity which must be accorded to man and wife in mutual and unreserved affection."29 Polygamy is contrary to conjugal love which is undivided and exclusive.30

„In creating men »male and female,« God gives man and woman an equal personal dignity."31 „Man is a person, man and woman equally

25 GS 47; CCC 1603.

26 Cf. CIC, can. 1063.

27 GS 49; CCC 1632.

28 CCC 1638; CIC, can. 1134 (cf. CIC, can. 1055 § 1).

29 GS 49.

30 CCC 1645. Cf. FC 19.

31 FC 22; cf. GS 49.