The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"468 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS.mitteth adultery: and lie that shall marry her thatisput away, committeth ladultery."Our Saviourhere emphatically declares that the nuptial bond isratified by God Himself, and hence" that no man,nor any legislation framed by men, can validly dissolve the contract.To the Pharisees interposing this objection, ifmarriage is not to be dissolved, why then did Mosescommand to give a divorce, our Lord replies thatMoses did not command, but simply permitted theseparation, and that in tolerating this indulgence,the great lawgiver had regard to the violent passionof the Jewish people, who would fall into a greaterexcess, if their desire to be divorced and to form anew alliance were refused. But our Saviour reminded them that in the primitive times no suchlicense was granted.He then plainly affirms that such a privilegewould not be conceded in the New Dispensation ; for,He adds I :say to you whosoever shall put away:his wife, and shall marry another, committeth adultery."Protestant commentators erroneously assertthat the text justifiesan injured husband in separating from his adulterous wife, and in marrying again.But the Catholic Church explains the Gospel in thesense that, while the offended consort may obtain adivorce from bed and board from his unfaithfulwife, he is not allowed a divorce a vinculo matrinionii,BO as to have the privilege of marrying another.1Matt. xix. 3-9.