1. There are two events that are happening; one contradicting the other. The first is the 2015 Bishop’s Synod on the Family. The second is the canonization of Louis and Zellie, parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. The life of the parents shows that what is going on in the Bishop’s Synod is all wrong. Now, why would two contradictory events happen at the same time in the Catholic Church? Because the canonization is saying that something in the Bishop’s Synod is very wrong.
2. The marriage of Louis and Zelie.
Louis and Zellie are typical very good French Catholics. They had no plan to marry. They were only open to God’s Will; but if there was a need they would only do it if it is God’s Will. Notice that while Louis and Zellie were always awaiting God’s Will, some cardinals and the Pope, disregarding God’s Will, are zealous in imposing their own will on others. Note the contradiction?
Louis and Zellie became certain that it was God’s Will for them to marry so they did marry in a most Catholic way. And as the practice of very religious people after the wedding, they continued to observe chastity which both treasured as necessary for their eternal salvation. In short, they did not consummate their marriage.
3. The reason why they continued to observe chastity and did not immediately consummate their marriage is because of their love for virtue which they noticed greatly increased their love for God and for one another. So, it was with reluctance that they consummated their marriage believing the priest who told them that it was God’s Will for them to have children for whom they must work to sanctify. Their desire for personal sanctification became an integral part of their desire to sanctify their children.
4. The point is this; how come Louis and Zellie were convinced that they were more married observing chastity than when they were having children? Because they were more married observing chastity rather than when they were having children. Love for God and for one another are acts of a theological virtue called Charity which exist more when you are chaste rather than when you are having children. They were more married when chaste rather than when they were acting as husband and wife. I know this sounds weird but it is the truth.
5. Separation and Divorce.
In Moral theology, a couple may be separated or divorced if it can be proven that there was no marriage ‘ab initio,’ i.e. that there was no marriage from the beginning. And the usual example given is if and when the marriage is not consummated; like when the couple is immediately separated after the wedding because they had to go somewhere in a hurry. Then the marriage can be annuled because there was no marriage from the beginning and each can remarry. In Catholic theology there is no other valid reason for annulment or divorce. But today, after Vatican II, divorce for almost any reason is allowed in the new established Church of Compassion and Mercy, founded in Argentina.
Note that in the marriage of Louis and Zellie they knew that they were more married when they were living chastely after marriage rather than when they were living as man and wife. The idea here is that one can be more married after marriage even if the marriage is not consummated because both want to live chastely, rather than when they live as husband and wife.
Their happiness was glorious as chaste husband and wife, and this is very evident in their biography. Was this pure emotionalism? No. They felt that way because there was true marriage even if the marriage is not consummated because they chose to live chastely. Which means that the only one reason why marriage can be annulled in the Catholic Church, that it is not consummated, is not a valid and acceptable reason for annulment or divorce; because even if the marriage is not consummated, there is a valid marriage. And the proof is Joseph and Mary. Like Louis and Zellie, St. Joseph and Mary were married but their marriage was, in fact, never consummated and yet they are recognized by the Catholic Church as Husband and Wife. No one can say that because their marriage was not consummated therefore, there was no marriage from the beginning and, therefore, their marriage can be annulled. Joseph and Mary were so married no one, not even God, can annul their marriage.
How come so many mere men want to annul and divorce people who are very much more married than Joseph, Mary, Louis and Zellie?
6. Moses and the decree of divorce.
Yes, the readings said Moses allowed the decree of divorce because of the people’s hard headedness. There, you see it. They were given a decree of divorce because of their hard headedness.
Moses did not say that after they got the divorce they went to heaven. Did he? Of course not. If they remained hard headed naturally they would go somewhere else. So why did Moses give them the decree of divorce? Because they asked for it. If someone insist on going to hell can you stop him?
Moses was in the Old Testament. During those times there was no grace yet. So couples had a difficult time bearing each other. Grace, however, would come in the New Testament. Without grace, it was impossible for the Jews to control themselves when they see the Hittite women were prettier than their Jewish wives.
But in the New Testament, with grace, there was no excuse. With grace nothing is impossible with man. So, now, there is absolutely no excuse for divorce because with God’s grace everything is possible. The usual ‘non-consummation’ of marriage as an excuse for annulment is only for hard headed. And like during Moses’ time hard headeds don’t go to heaven. So if you want a divorce, go ahead. But don’t expect to go to heaven. Heaven is for Joseph’s, Marys, Louis and Zellies.
7. Annul the marriage of Joseph and Mary.
The message of the canonization of Louis and Zellie for the on going Bishop’s Synod 2015 is; if you can annul Joseph and Mary’s marriage, then go ahead and annul everybody else’s marriage. If you cannot even though their marriage was not consummated, do not touch any body else’s marriage lest you put asunder what God had joined together.
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