In the eyes of the Catholic Church, what is a marriage?
A. 1. In the eyes of the Catholic Church, the word “marriage” can only be applied when the union was created as God intended it to be, such a marriage having the minimum content that God gave it. If that minimum content is not present, than the union between the two spouses can be called whatever people want to call it, but in the eyes of the Catholic Church, it was never a marriage. Based on the teachings of the Catholic Church, the bride and groom must consent to three essential obligations of marriage, these being permanence, exclusivity and openness to children. Several Catholic writers have added that there is a fourth essential obligation, that being an “interpersonal relationship.” “Permanence” means having the condition or quality of being permanent. “Exclusivity” means that it is a unity that is not divided, nor shared by others. “Openness” means possessing a truthful character, being readily accessible, not concealling one’s actions or purposes, not being secretive. “Interper
