Christian Understanding of Humanity Pope

Christian Understanding of Humanity

Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae outlines the spiritual and social functions of marriage and conjugal love. Although primarily concerned with the problem of birth control in the face of a burgeoning world population, the treatise also summarizes the Catholic teachings about the institution of marriage. Paul reflects on the meaning of conjugal from a doctrinal perspective as well as from a personal one, noting that the "begetting and education of children" is the primary duty of married couples (Ch. 9). Marriage both sustains moral law and is sustained by moral law. In other words, marriage is a divinely ordained institution necessary for preserving the integrity of human society. Within the relationship of marriage, the husband and wife must exercise judgment in accordance with moral law, as interpreted by the Church. Paul also comments on the transcendent meaning of marriage, claiming that conjugal love symbolizes divine love; the love between husband and wife is akin to the love of Christ for the Church. As a quintessentially human experience, marriage is a means by which men and women can achieve salvation as well as personal fulfillment. Marriage, according to the Humanae Vitae, is an institution ordained by God and sustained by moral law.

Marriage serves three main functions. First, marriage ensures social harmony when the conjugal love is expressed in accordance with Church doctrine and moral law. Marriage is therefore a social institution integral to the health of humanity as a whole. A marriage that reflects moral law benefits the couple, the extended family, the community, the Church, and the society. Second, marriage is a key to psychological and interpersonal harmony. Just as a marriage fulfills a macrocosmic sociological function, the relationship has an immediate impact on a small scale. Marriage can further personal psychological and spiritual development. Marriage can also create interpersonal harmony within the nuclear or extended family. Paul expressly refers to the "harmony between husband and wife" that conjugal love propagates (Ch. 3). Finally, marriage is a means toward personal salvation and thus toward the collective salvation of humanity. Marriage is "an expression of the will of God, the faithful fulfillment of which is equally necessary for salvation," (Ch. 4).

Furthermore, Paul provides several spiritual functions of marriage and conjugal love. First, marriage is not "the effect of chance or the product of evolution of unconscious natural forces; it is the wise institution of the Creator," (Ch. 8). Marriage is a fundamental feature of God's plan for humanity. Above all the goal of marriage is to fulfill God's plan. All social or psychological functions of marriage are secondary to or are because of this primary purpose. Second, marriage is an earthly manifestation of divine love. God's love for humanity and for the individual spirit is reflected in the institution of marriage. Conjugal love parallels divine love. Third, marriage is a holy sacrament of the Church. Paul notes that "For baptized persons, moreover, marriage invests the dignity of a sacramental sign of grace," (Ch. 8). Fourth, marriage mirrors the union of Christ and the Church. The union of marriage should be viewed as a sign and as proof of Christ's love.

The characteristics of marriage according to Paul include the following. First, marriage assumes "full human" characteristics by being of "the senses and of the spirit at the same time," (Ch. 9). Marriage and conjugal love permits people to contemplate their role as human beings, and the meaning of being human. The purely physical and mundane features of marriage are thereby elevated to become teaching tools for the soul. Marriage is, in this sense, a uniquely human duty. Conjugal love should be appreciated as a special feature of human life, as a means by which men and women can cultivate a relationship with God and the Church. Although marriage is fundamentally human, marriage is not simply "instinct and sentiment." Marriage furthers loftier goals.

Second, marriage is "principally...an act of the free will," (Ch. 9). Not only is marriage an exercise in free will, but marriage reflects the divine truth of free will. Moreover, marriage should always reflect the free will of both parties. The husband and wife unite on their own volition. Third, marriage is "intended to endure and to grow by means of the joys and sorrows of daily life," (Ch. 9). Life's vicissitudes strengthen the bond of conjugal love and embolden the human heart. Marriage can thus inspire compassion. The "for better or worse" clause in the marriage vow reflects this feature of conjugal love.

Fourth, marriage is a "very special form of personal friendship," characterized by conjugal love (Ch. 9). The special friendship also implies sharing selflessly and ceaselessly of material and intangible goods. Moreover, through their special bond the husband and wife "become one only heart and one only soul," (Ch. 9). Marriage thus approaches the mystical. The bond of conjugal love is unique also in that it enables an individual to attain the perfection of the spirit.