Church Teaching

See also Quotes from Church Documents archived from our previous site, Marriage: Unique for a Reason.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Second Vatican Council

Pope Francis

Pope Benedict XVI

Major documents:

Various addresses and homilies about marriage:

Pope John Paul II

Major documents:

Various addresses and homilies about marriage:

  • Homily during the Jubilee of Families(October 15, 2000) : see nos. 2, 3
  • See also John Paul II’s Wednesday audiences (Sept. 5, 1979 – Nov. 28, 1984) collectively known as “the theology of the body.” Available online at EWTN’s website and at the Vatican website (includes all of John Paul II’s audiences).
    • The most recent critical English translation is Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body, trans. Michael Waldstein (Boston: Pauline Books & Media), 2006.

Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith

Español:

Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life

Keys to Bioethics – A Manual of Bioethics for Youth (2022)

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace

  • Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (2004)

    • See nos. 144-148, The Equal Dignity of All People and the “Equality in Difference” between Man and Woman
    • See nos. 209-254, Marriage and Family
    • Importance of the family for the person (no. 212)
    • Importance of the family for society (nos. 213-214)
    • Marriage as the foundation of the family (nos. 215-218)
    • Sexual identity, difference, and complementarity (no. 224)
    • Homosexual unions (nos. 228-229)

    Español: Compendio de la Doctrina Social de la Iglesia (2005)

    • Ve nos. 144-148, La igual dignidad de todas las personas
    • Ve nos. 209-254, La familia, Célula vital de la sociedad
    • La importancia de la familia para la persona (no. 212)
    • La importancia de la familia para la sociedad (nos. 213-214)
    • El matrimonio, fundamento de la familia (nos. 215-218)
    • La identidad sexual, la diferencia, y la complementariedad (no. 224)
    • Las uniones homosexuales (nos. 228-229)

Select State Catholic Conference Statements on Marriage

Love means more.

Links

USCCB

USCCB Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth

For Your Marriage / Por Tu Matrimonio: Pastoral marriage sites (one in English and one in Spanish) with advice for engaged and married couples

USCCB Natural Family Planning Program

USCCB Respect Life Program

USCCB Faithful Citizenship: Resources for forming consciences and participating in political life

National Association of State Catholic Conference Directors: Provides links to all of the State Catholic Conferences, which educate and advocate for the Church’s public policy positions