Family

Question 1

What is the purpose of family in Catholic teaching?

Answer 1

Family life is important as it is one of the main purposes of a Catholic marriage, where couples promise to be open to procreation.

Question 2

Why is family considered the foundation of society in Catholicism?

Answer 2

The Church teaches that the family was created by God as the basic foundation for society, where children learn morals and values.

Question 3

What role do parents play in the faith education of their children?

Answer 3

Parents are the primary teachers of their children and have a duty to teach them their faith, supported by the Church.

Question 4

What does Familiaris Consortio emphasize?

Answer 4

Familiaris Consortio emphasizes the importance of family life and encourages Catholics to live in family structures aligned with Church teaching.

Question 5

What does the Decalogue teach about family?

Answer 5

The Decalogue instructs us to honour our father and mother, highlighting the importance of family.

Question 6

What did St. Paul instruct regarding parenting?

Answer 6

St. Paul instructed parents to bring their children up ‘in the way of the Lord’ in his letters.

Question 7

How does the Church support families in faith education?

Answer 7

The Church provides schools and resources to help parents ensure that their family life nurtures and grows their faith.

Question 8

What is a nuclear family?

Answer 8

A nuclear family is when a father, mother, and children live together.

According to Catholic teaching, this family structure is the way God intends families to be.

Question 9

What does the Church believe about nuclear families?

Answer 9

The Church believes that nuclear families (when the couple are married) are the ideal environment for raising children.

Question 10

What is an extended family?

Answer 10

An extended family is when more than two generations live in the same home, such as grandparents, parents, and children.

The Church views this family structure as a positive extension of the nuclear family.

Question 11

What does the Church believe about extended families?

Answer 11

The Church believes that extended families are also very positive and in line with Catholic teachings.

Question 12

What is a single parent family?

Answer 12

Single parent families are families where dependent children live with one parent.

Question 13

What does the Church teach about single parent families?

Answer 13

The Church teaches that there is nothing sinful about single parent families and that they should be supported by the community.

Question 14

What is a blended family?

Answer 14

A blended family is when two separate families are joined together by a partner who has a family, marrying someone who becomes a step-parent. If both partners have children, they will be step-sisters/brothers.

Question 15

What is the Catholic Church’s view on blended families?

Answer 15

The Church’s view on blended families depends on the reasons that brought it about.

Question 16

What does the Church say about remarriage after divorce?

Answer 16

If the adults involved have already been married and got a divorce to remarry, the Church would say that the second marriage cannot be valid as the Church does not accept divorce.

Question 17

What is the Church’s stance on first marriages with children in a blended family?

Answer 17

If the two adults have never been married to anyone before, even if they both already have children, the marriage would be seen as being within the Church teachings.

Question 18

What does the Church say about remarriage after a partner’s death?

Answer 18

If one or both of the adults have been married but their partner has died, then the second marriage is also in line with Church teaching.

Question 19

What are single sex families?

Answer 19

Single sex families are families headed by two men or two women who are in a romantic/sexual/married relationship.

Question 20

What is the Catholic Church’s view on single sex families?

Answer 20

This type of family is not in line with Catholic teachings. The Church teaches that the family should be headed by a married man and woman.

Question 21

What is cohabitation?

Answer 21

Cohabitation is when people live together in a romantic sexual relationship without being married.

Question 22

Can cohabitation occur in different types of families?

Answer 22

Yes, cohabitation can occur in all differing types of family, such as a nuclear family where parents live with their children but are not married.

Question 23

Is cohabitation more common now than in the past in the UK?

Answer 23

Yes, cohabitation is now much more common in the UK than it was in the past.

Question 24

What is a non-religious view on cohabitation?

Answer 24

Many non-religious people believe that sexual relationships, as long as they are legal and consensual, are a matter for the adults involved.

Question 25

What are some advantages of cohabitation?

Answer 25

Advantages include saving money on weddings and the opportunity to see if a couple is compatible before marrying.

Question 26

How does modern society view marriage and long-term cohabitation?

Answer 26

In modern society, there is not much difference between marriage and long-term cohabitation.

Question 27

What is the Catholic Church's view on cohabitation?

Answer 27

The Catholic Church disapproves of cohabitation and teaches that couples in love should commit to each other through marriage.

Question 28

What does the Magisterium teach regarding marriage?

Answer 28

The Magisterium teaches that local churches and clergy should help make the process of getting married easier for couples.

Question 29

How does the Catholic Church differentiate between cohabitation and marriage?

Answer 29

The Church rejects the idea that cohabitation is the same as marriage, arguing that marriage provides stability for the relationship and children.

Question 30

What is the Catholic belief about commitment in love?

Answer 30

The Church believes that when a couple is in love, they should commit fully to one another through marriage.

Question 31

Do Catholics consider family life more important than other people do?

Answer 31

Yes, Catholics would consider family life more important than other people. ## Footnote Catholics believe that the family was created by God as the basic unit of society.

Question 32

Why is family important to Catholics?

Answer 32

Family is seen as the work of God, making it more important to religious people than non-religious people. ## Footnote A Catholic family is where the faith is passed on.

Question 33

What role does the family play in the continuation of faith for Catholics?

Answer 33

The continuation of the faith depends on the family, making it more important to Catholics than non-religious people.

Question 34

What do the 10 commandments say about family?

Answer 34

In the 10 commandments, Catholics are told to 'honour their father and mother'. ## Footnote The Bible teaches about the duty parents have to their children.

Question 35

How does God's command influence the importance of family for Catholics?

Answer 35

As God commands them to love their family, family will be more important to Catholics than non-religious people.

Question 36

Do non-religious people also value family life?

Answer 36

Yes, many non-religious people love their families just as much as Catholics love theirs.

Question 37

How do non-religious people view their families?

Answer 37

Many non-religious people see their family as the most important thing in their lives.

Question 38

What do Catholics believe should be the most important thing in their lives?

Answer 38

For Catholics, God should be the most important thing in their lives.

Question 39

Do Catholics consider family life more important than non-religious people?

Answer 39

No, Catholics do not consider family life more important than non-religious people.