Courtney McGrailDear Editor, We in the Legion of Mary in Abbeyfeale would like to reinforce what Fr Patrick O’Donovan wrote in your letters page 19/02/2015. (‘We should go back to using the word matrimony’) In, fact we intended to write to you in a similar vein.
The traditional definition of marriage is “a contract between two people where they give and receive certain rights, rights which have for their purpose the procreation of children”. That is its essence. Equality does not come into the situation. Two people of the same sex cannot fulfil the role involved in our definition. Neither is love of the essence, it is an adjunct, important yes, but not necessary for the validity of marriage.
It is a very important contract, not instituted by man, but based on nature. On that contract depends the continuation of the human race. It is sacred as well as important. Christ said it was instituted by God and cannot be pulled asunder by man. So for Christians it is also a sacrament which we call the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Of course society is free to do whatever it likes with its civil laws which brings us to Fr O’Donovan’s suggestion, “why not return to the beautiful title of Matrimony” at least for true Christians. Matrimony suggests something sacred. It also suggests motherhood, mater, and thereby children.
We believe the Catholic Church should give a lead here. It should eschew any connection or responsibility for the civil side of marriage. Let the State take responsibility for the civil side of marriage, registration etc. The Church has enough to do with preparing Christians for the responsibilities involved in the ‘Sacrament of Matrimony’.
Yours etc.,
Canon James Neville,
Legion of Mary, Abbeyfeale, Limerick.