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62. Infidelity

1. A spouse may seek lawful separation from bed and boardif the other spouse be guilty of infidelity, that is, commitsadultery. This is not the case, however, if the spouse seekingseparation is also guilty of adultery. Nor is it the case if thespouse now seeking separation has already forgiven the infidelityby using the marriage right with the offending party. Nor is ittrue in any case except that of actual, recognized, freelycommitted adultery.

2. No spouse, however, is bound to seekseparation by reason of adultery on the part of the other spouse,unless the offending party be determined to continue committingthis same sin. In this case, there is a duty to separate.

3. No spouse can, by private authority, effect aseparation from bed and board. One spouse, truly injured by theadultery of the other, may indeed effect a separation from bed. Butfor full separation, the injured party must appeal for the judgmentof the ecclesiastical court.

4. In all matters touching fidelity in marriage, husbandand wife are on a par. Nothing is lawful for one and unlawful forthe other.

5. Separation allowed by reason of infidelity does notdissolve marriage. The separated spouses are still husband andwife; neither can marry anew while the other lives.

6. Separated spouses should strive to be reconciled and to takeup decent married life together, if and when this becomes at allpossible.

"To do God's will -- this was the goal upon which the saints constantly fixed their gaze. They were fully persuaded that in this consists the entire perfection of the soul. "
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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"Many words do not satisfy the soul; but a good life eases the mind and a clean conscience inspires great trust in God."
Thomas á Kempis

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"This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. "
Thomas á Kempis

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