'To legalize marriage between two people of the same sex would enshrine in the law the principle that mothers and fathers are interchangeable or irrelevant.'

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Sharon Love is living every parent’s worst nightmare: her daughter, Yeardley Love, was found beaten to death after a nasty break-up with an abusive ex-boyfriend. Now, Love is trying to spread awareness about the all-too-real consequences of abusive relationships

There are many young couples who sincerely believe in the Church’s teachings forbidding sexual intercourse before marriage. And yet, even such admirable young couples with the best of intentions find themselves in situations of grave temptation. One reason this occurs is a faulty attitude toward the Church’s condemnation of fornication. It is seen as something to avoid, i.e. as a negative phenomenon.

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For many young people, sex has become a performance, overlaid with worry about ''How do I look? What tricks do they expect me to perform? How do I compare with others?'' Separating sex from personhood is what sexualisation does. It's robbing us of closeness. Little wonder we have one of the most depressed and lonely generations of young people ever.

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Dating is an important part of discerning the kind of person you want to marry. But before you launch into the dating scene, you need to ask yourself some questions to make sure you are ready... Are you interested in getting to know the person or are you lusting after them? Will dating help or hurt your soul? Are you confident with drawing boundaries when dating?

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A Catholic author believes that the “surprisingly positive” reception of her book on the sexual revolution shows an encouraging openness to reconsider cultural assumptions about artificial contraception.

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Susanna and Alessandro met in the Eternal City. Their friendship eventually turned into a relationship and for the past six months they've been inseparable. When things got more serious, Susanna invited Alessandro to a series of Catholic courses. They're designed for couples who are dating and also for those who are getting ready for marriage. Alessandro agreed even though he wasn't a practicing Catholic.

In a culture that is increasingly intolerant of Christian values and beliefs, feasts that have captured the imagination of the secular community, like St Valentine’s Day, represent a unique opportunity for the Church. It is an opportunity for us to proclaim our beliefs in a way that is affirming and life-giving to deeply held values that are shared by many in the wider community.

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Here are some very moving thoughts from a groom about the controversial topic of saving sex for marriage. The footage was taken 30 minutes before the bride walked down the isle!

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Why marriage? Because it’s what we’re made for...

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