The Marriage of the Faithful: From Reason, Faith, and Justice

Abstract

Canon Law and Theology are sciences that study the same reality, but approach it from different perspectives and methodologies. In discussing sacramental marriage, theological doctrine tends to emphasize its sacred character. Canonical science for its part has studied marriage under the prism of natural relations of justice and considers the supernatural dimension of marriage as a meta-legal element. This diversity of sensitivities between may lead to confusion in pastoral action. The debate has once again come to the fore in the context of the synods on the family of 2014 and 2015, in the context of the pastoral care of the faithful away from the faith. The purpose of this article is to analyze the points of view of both sciences in relation to the relevance of faith for the validity of the sacramental marriage, and to propose a constructive dialogue capable of offering proposals on which to base the criteria of family ministry.