Arcanum (encyclical)

Arcanum Divinae
Latin for 'mystery of the divine[a]'
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII
Coat of arms of Pope Leo XIII
Signature date 10 February 1880 (1880-02-10)
SubjectOn Christian marriage
Number4 of 85 of the pontificate
Text
Grande munus →

Arcanum (also known as Arcanum Divinae) is an encyclical issued on 10 February 1880 by Pope Leo XIII, on the topic of Christian marriage.

The encyclical was considered the forerunner to Pope Pius XI's 1930 Casti connubii and Pope Paul VI's 1968 Humanae vitae.[1] Arcanum outlines the rule of marriage in the late 19th century, and goes through those actions which weaken the marriage sacrament, such as polygamy and divorce. The encyclical also posits the Church as a protector of marriage, rather than one interfering in the marital relationship.


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  1. ^ Shivanandan, Mary (1999). Crossing the Threshold of Love. New York: T&T Clark. ISBN 056708678X.