In a significant move, the Vatican has released a new doctrinal decree, personally approved by Pope Leo, which delivers a powerful reinforcement of the Catholic Church's stance on marriage. The directive, issued to the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, unequivocally states that marital commitment must be to one spouse for life.
Core Teachings on Monogamy and Commitment
The decree, published by the Holy See's top doctrinal office on Tuesday, places paramount importance on a singular, lifelong partnership. It explicitly discourages multiple sexual relationships and criticises the practice of polygamy, directly addressing its prevalence among Catholic congregations in Africa.
Reiterating the foundational belief that marriage is an exclusive, lifelong bond between one man and one woman, the document highlighted the "richness and fruitfulness" of this traditional union. It urged Catholics to seek one spouse and build a committed life with them.
"Every authentic marriage is a unity composed of two individuals, which requires such an intimate and totalising relationship that it cannot be shared with others," the decree stated. It further clarified that because marriage is a union of two people with equal dignity and rights, it fundamentally "demands exclusivity."
Addressing Modern Relationship Structures
This new directive is the culmination of extensive debate held during two major Vatican summits in 2023 and 2024. Hosted by the late Pope Francis, these gatherings brought together hundreds of cardinals and bishops to discuss the future of Catholicism and how to better enforce Church teachings on marriage.
A key topic of heated discussion was the challenge of polygamy in Africa, where long-standing cultural practices sometimes see Catholics maintaining more than one committed relationship. The summits also examined the rising trend of polyamorous relationship structures in some Western nations, where individuals concurrently date multiple people.
The decree collectively addressed these practices, stating, "Polygamy, adultery, or polyamory are based on the illusion that the intensity of the relationship can be found in a succession of faces." Notably, the document did not broach the subject of same-sex relationships.
Clarification on Divorce and Annulment
While the Church's position on the indissolubility of marriage remains firm—it does not recognise divorce—the decree did not discuss this matter. However, it is important to note that the Church maintains an annulment process. This process evaluates whether a marriage was properly contracted in the first place.
The document also stressed a crucial pastoral nuance: partners are not expected to remain in abusive relationships, separating the issue of safety from the theological understanding of the marital bond.
