Check out our eco-tip below. September 10.  There was a lawyer on the course for engaged couples. He stressed the importance of knowing the legal implications of marriage.  These exist to safeguard the State’s legal, financial and social rights and responsibilities which are separate from Church laws. The Church recognises a country’s laws but does not necessarily accept them, e.g. divorce. Pre-marriage contracts are common as  financial arrangements that can affect spouses in the case of death, business matters as well as divorce.  In breakdown a legal separation is an alternative to divorce and can protect the security of the parties and of the children. Other legal aspects around marriage and Church teaching are laws on termination of pregnancy, traditional marriages and same-sex unions. As he said, “All of this stuff might not be relevant for you right now, but later it may well be and we live in the world which is a secular society so we have to be responsible citizens too.” 

“I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 1-14.   Pope Francis: With regard to cohabitation I think of the fears associated with permanent commitment, the obsession with free time and those relationships that weigh costs and benefits for the sake of remedying loneliness, providing protection or offering some service.   We treat affective relationship the way we treat material objects and the environment: everything is disposable; everyone uses and throws away, takes and breaks, exploits and squeezes to the last drop. Then goodbye. AL 39      

ECO-TIP AND PRAYER:  Find out about a “good citizen” ecological programme you like and join up.   Pray for greater respect for and commitment to the law.  Pray  the  Glory be to the Father.