Marriage and Christian Churches
The Roman Catholic Church holds that marriage is one of the 7 sacraments, i.e. a symbol of the bond God creates with people. In marriage, the love between a husband and wife shows something of the love of God.
RC priests must be celibate (not married) and chaste (sexually pure). This allows them to dedicate themselves to their work. In most other Churches the leader is allowed to marry.
The Church of England teaches that marriage is a gift from God – see the Introduction above. In marriage, 2 people (male and female) promise to be faithful for life, to love, comfort and honour each other, to stay together no matter what – good and bad, rich and poor, sickness and health. Marriage is also for sex, and to create children and a stable family. Vicars are allowed to marry.
Canon B30: The Church of England affirms, according to Jesus's teaching, that marriage is in its nature, a union permanent and lifelong, for better for worse till death them do part, of one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others on either side, for the procreation and nurture of children, for the hallowing and right direction of the natural instincts and affections, and for the mutual society, help and comfort which the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
Christians believe that marriage is very important because within marriage, people learn about and express love, forgiveness, tolerance, comforting each other, celebrating together, appreciating each other’s qualities, and thinking about the well-being of another person. They believe that through marriage, they learn more about God, because “God is love” (1 John 4).
Christian Weddings
- Social occasion - a time for families and friends to get together.
- Religious occasion - a time for worshipping God, makings solemn vows or promises in God’s name, thanking God for the gift of love and marriage, celebrating a joyful event in God’s presence, praying for the couple’s new life together and asking for God’s blessing on the couple in the future.
