Pope: Marriage not a "right"

[grammafreddy]

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loca ... lumbiaHome

No one has an automatic right to marry: Pope

By: CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Saturday Jan. 22, 2011 8:05 AM PT

Pope Benedict has asked Catholic priests to do a better job preparing people for marriage, saying that no one has an automatic right to wed.

Benedict said that the church should make sure those who decide to get married will be able to make the marriage last.

He made the comments on Saturday to the Roman Rota, the Vatican's tribunal on marriage annulments.

In the case of an annulment, the church effectively declares that a marriage never took place.

Benedict said that it is difficult to identify problems that would allow a marriage to be annulled in advance, but better pre-marriage counselling could help avoid a "vicious circle" of invalid marriages.

Benedict said the right to a church wedding requires a couple intends to be authentic and truthful in their marriage.

Benedict's comments on marriage came one day after he put pressure on Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi over his dalliances with young women.

On Friday, Benedict said that public officials must set a good moral example for society, but did not mention Berlusconi by name.

His comments came on day after a bishop said the Vatican was concerned about the scandal.

Berlusconi is currently being divorced by his second wife, Veronica Lario.

With files from The Associated Press

Oh, how I laughed when I read the bolded part.

I won't challenge the pope's statement about marriage and whether it is a right or not because he qualifies it by saying "the right to a church wedding", but his concept that the church is in a position to preach good morals to anybody is totally out to lunch. l don't think he has a leg to stand on with that one.

[coffeeFreak]

Oh my gf LMAO.... "a good moral example" ....

As for marriage, most Christians still hold to the belief of "no sex before marriage". Then what happens is the courtship is rushed into marriage so they can hit the sack with God's blessings.

I am friends with a family who are all Christian and they have noticed a trend amongst some of their young adult friends -- divorce within months or a year or two after the ceremony.

[grammafreddy]

Well, anyone knows the first baby can come any time - but after that it takes nine months.

[flamingfingers]

I am friends with a family who are all Christian and they have noticed a trend amongst some of their young adult friends -- divorce within months or a year or two after the ceremony.

So how many people buy a car without taking it for a 'test drive'????

[steven lloyd]

I am friends with a family who are all Christian and they have noticed a trend amongst some of their young adult friends -- divorce within months or a year or two after the ceremony.

Isn't divorce a Catholic sin as well ? Hmmm. Forty more years with the @#%$ or an eternity in hell ? Tough choice.


( not me, me happy - but of course I'm not Catholic )

[tryscotty]

Divorce is something God hates but is allowed when there is fornication. Thats according to Jesus words. On the other note I can barely stand to walk by a catholic church. I wonder how many catholics (purposely not capitalized out of disrespect) know the vatican (same rule applied) signed an agreement with the nazis to let them do as they please without church interference? Trust me, it wouldn't be my lips I would put on the poops (oops spelling error) ring.

[robhynes]

Out of the same mouth that said it's ok for gay men to use condoms to prevent the spread of HIV. Self serving maybe?!?