Why is marriage important in Catholicism?

Marriage is an important aspect of Catholic life because it is part of God's plan for procreation, it provides a safe venue for the rearing of offspring and it nurtures a loving and committed relationship between a husband and a wife in which they can support each other for better or for worse. Divorce is generally not acceptable for Catholics.

In Catholicism, matrimony is a religious ceremony in which a baptized man and a baptized woman lawfully bind themselves for eternity in a holy union made in the presence of a parish priest, a bishop of the diocese or a priest chosen by either the bride or the groom. A married couple lives in the blessing of God, and through the Lord's grace, their partnership is strengthened.