Note 965 — Chapter II · THE TREATMENT OF PENITENTS IN DIFFERENT EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES

See the following section. But he must by no means meddle with engagements; every pastor, every priest, should be on his guard against this, “for the zeal of relations in this matter is already great enough,” remarks Frassinetti, who continues: “In matrimonial matters the world wishes to act independently; and it is well that it does. Priests who do not interfere in these matters act well in the eyes of God, and meet with the approbation of men” (Frassinetti, l. c. VI. chap. On the Sacrament of Matrimony, § 1, n. 458). On the other hand, it would be no dangerous interference, and would not be taken ill by any one, if the confessor endeavored to induce a man who had dishonored a young woman to marry her as soon as possible. However, one cannot speak of an absolute duty to marry the woman under these circumstances, nor may one always adopt this remedy. For if the woman were so immoral that infidelity toward her husband might be safely presupposed, or if the seducer were such a dissolute man that he would hear nothing about the bond of marriage, and it was to be presumed that he would abandon or illtreat his wife if he were forced into marriage, it would be highly imprudent to bring about such a marriage. The same applies to all other cases in which it could be foreseen that the marriage would result in misery. This would be trying to remedy one misfortune, as seduction certainly is, by a lasting evil, namely, a wretched marriage. The confessor must, therefore, first investigate the circumstances.