The topic assigned for discussion in this paper is happily ambiguous. Values may be interpreted as referring to religious teachings; but term may equally refer to broad considerations of a purely social character. First of all, it is here recorded that many millions of American citizens hold firmly to a purely religious judgment concerning evils of divorce. They read nineteenth chapter of Gospel according to St. Matthew, verses three to twelve, and find there, not a mere record of views of an ancient seer, but rather an authoritative decision proclaimed by Incarnate Lawgiver for all mankind. God's authority, these citizens hold, is supreme. Against His law, no argument or authority may be cited. Hence, when a husband and wife are validly and sacramentally married, no man can put them asunder; and no court, by a bill of divorce, can endow them with a right to remarry.l Under our American system, these citizens may hold these opinions, with others dissenting. They may by their discussions and their votes try to convince others to reform our existing legal institutions, so that divorce will not merely be regulated, but even eliminated. This viewpoint, however, seems to be held by only a minority. The majority have other religious tenets in matter of divorce, or none at all. A purely theological approach to existing problem, therefore, offers little hope of a presently practical solution. This does not mean, however, that a restriction of divorce will be advocated solely by those who have theological convictions. On another plane, there are basic social values which strongly suggest and support a reforming attitude. Spiritual values, in this sense, involve no sectarian differences. All good citizens can consider these principles sincerely and fairly, and draw from them appropriate conclusions. Exposition of these values therefore forms body of this paper. Historically, every political society has recognized that family is essential and basic unit of social organization, and has given to it every favor and protection.2 This has been true in our own American legal history. Corpus Juris3 defines marriage as a status *J.C.D., S.T.D., LL.D. Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Boston. 1For a fuller but non-technical statement of Catholic viewpoint, see 52 HOMILETIC AND PASTORAL REV. 888-896 (1952). 2Cf. The Soviet Family, 189 ATLANTIC MONTHLY I8-20 (I952) for a popularized report on Soviet's reversal of public policy, from unlimited divorce to almost complete prohibition of divorce. The re-establishment of strong and legally protected families was dictated by a purely secularist and intellectual analysis of needs of state. Such authoritarian procedure is impossible in United States; but it is here suggested that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than children of light. 338 C. J. (MARRIAGE. DEFINITION AND NATURE ?I) 1273-1274 (I925), with authorities cited.