The Sacrament of Marriage: Contemporary Challenges

Abstract

The sacrament of marriage faces various challenges in the modern world. Some of the serious challenges to the sacrament of marriage and family are enumerated. There is a phenomenal increase in the number of inter-faith and inter-ethnic marriages both in the West and in the East. For several reasons, some Catholics opt for civil marriage, some of them neglecting the sacramental marriage. Break-up of marriage which often leads to divorce is one of the most profound crises in the society as the spouses deny each other and in the process, deny themselves. Due to issues related to dowry, even among the Catholics, often from the beginning of married life, there are conflicts between the couple and between the bride and her in-laws. Although migration, which takes people away, has its advantages, it has enormous effect on the institution of marriage and family in varying degrees.