I – “De facto Unions”

Social aspect of de facto unions 

(2) The term “de facto unions” includes a whole series of many heterogeneous human realities whose common element is that of being forms of cohabitation (of a sexual kind) which are not marriage.  De facto unions are characterized precisely by the fact that they ignore, postpone, or even reject the conjugal commitment.  Grave consequences are derived from this.

In marriage, through the covenant of conjugal love, all the responsibilities that result from the bond that has been made are taken on publicly.  From this public assumption of responsibilities a good results not only for the spouses themselves and for the children in their affective and formational growth, but also for the other members of the family.  Therefore, the family based on marriage is a fundamental and precious good for the whole society whose most solid fabric is built on the values that are developed in family relations and guaranteed by stable marriage.  The good generated by marriage is basic for the Church which recognizes the family as the “domestic Church”.[2][2]  All this is endangered by abandoning the institution of marriage, which is implicit in de facto unions.