Catechism of the Catholic Church

572 Part Three 2378 A child is not something owed to one, but is a gift. The “supreme gift of marriage” is a human person. A child may not be considered a piece of property, an idea to which an alleged “right to a child” would lead. In this area, only the child possesses genuine rights: the right “to be the fruit of the specific act of the conjugal love of his parents,” and “the right to be respected as a person from the moment of his conception.” 170 2379 The Gospel shows that physical sterility is not an absolute evil. Spouses who still suffer from infertility after exhausting legiti­ mate medical procedures should unite themselves with the Lord’s Cross, the source of all spiritual fecundity. They can give expression to their generosity by adopting abandoned children or performing demanding services for others. IV. O ffenses A gainst the D ignity of M arriage Adultery 2380 Adultery refers to marital infidelity. When two partners, of whom at least one is married to another party, have sexual relations —even transient ones—they commit adultery. Christ condemns even adultery of mere desire. 171 The sixth commandment and the New Testament forbid adultery absolutely. 172 The prophets de­ nounce the gravity of adultery; they see it as an image of the sin of idolatry. 173 2381 Adultery is an injustice. He who commits adultery fails in his commitment. He does injury to the sign of the covenant which the marriage bond is, transgresses the rights of the other spouse, and undermines the institution of marriage by breaking the con­ tract on which it is based. He compromises the good of human generation and the welfare of children who need their parents’ stable union. 170 CDF, Donum vitae II, 8. 171 Cf. Mt 5:27-28. 172 Cf. Mt 5:32; 19:6; Mk 10:11; 1 Cor 6:9-10. 173 Cf. Hos 2:7; Jer 5:7; 13:27. 1611 1640