[jo kus]

Where is your proof for the teaching of the perpetual virginity of Mary?

The teaching, as far as doctrinal, comes with the Church's understanding of Christ and Mary's role when Mary is called the Mother of God and Mary as the New Eve, both concepts clearly stated in the first 300 years of Christianity. Furthermore, with such men as St. Ambrose, Mary is called a type of the Church. The Church is ALSO our Mother (it is called this throughout history) in that it gives birth to us through being baptized (born again) and we are nourished and nutured by it (receiving the Word of God and the Sacraments). The Church more clearly defines this later on, culminating with Vatican 2. The Church sees that Mary is a type of the Church, and the Church is a virgin dedicating her life to her spouse, Jesus Christ.

Thus, what the Church sees in Mary is a reflection of Christ and the Church itself.

Regards

[P-Marlowe]

You offered no proof of the existence of any doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. If she is the "New Eve" as you say, then she would fall under God's first commandment to Eve, "be fruitful and multiply".

Mary is a type of the Church, and the Church is a virgin dedicating her life to her spouse, Jesus Christ.

Mary was not the "spouse" of Jesus, she was his mother. She was the spouse of Joseph and as such she had been commanded to cling to him, forsaking all others. If she did not cling to Joseph, then she was a sinner. If she gave all of her attention to Jesus and none to husband then she was a sinner.

Now you can avoid all this stuff by denying that Mary was really Joseph's wife, and that her suppposed marriage was simply a sham. Is that what you are implying?