I think I'd disagree right from the start, that her actions are a serious injustice to the State.
I understand how it may be difficult to grant this. In defense of it, I wish to note, cursorily, that the State takes an interest in marriage. This is evident in the issuance of marriage licenses. Furthermore, it should be noted that the family is the very basis and ground of the political society. An offense against marriage is an offense against the political society itself, over which the State has care.
In committing adultery, the woman denies the State its rights of the assurance of legitimate heirs, children who are properly and lawfully brought up, etc.
Furthermore, it brings great insult, a great affront, against the State, who has endowed her and her husband's marital union with legal, public recognition and encouragement.
Marriage is a deeply political institution, and adultery violates and undermines marriage.
It is, perhaps (and here, I speak inquiringly, and not from a view of settled knowledge), not incorrect to view the crimes of adultery and abortion on par with treason. :idunno:
But do note, Kmo, that I didn't even bring up a mere case of adultery. No, I spoke of a woman who brought her lover into her husband's house, let his friends hang out there, and kicked her husband out of the marital bed.
We're not talking about a woman who was incontinent. We're talking about open, brazen displays of vice, of hardened, ingrained wickedness. We're talking about someone who was, at least insofar as her actions can lead us to believe (I don't know what's in her heart), in the words of Plato and Aristotle, "incurably evil."
For the life of me, I can't see how it could possibly be in the interests of the State to permit such a woman to live.
But really I don't care (at least at the moment) about any of that. Let's assume that all of that is true. The wife's actions are an injustice to the State, the state can punish with violence, that they can delegate. I would still not agree with you that a husband should use that state delegated right to violence.
Prima facie, it seems like what you are saying is contradictory. If you grant the right of the State to punish the woman for her action, and, likewise, admit the desert and just due of the woman to punishment, then you are telling me that it is unjust for the husband to exact what is: 1. objectively just and 2. just for him.
Trad, do you think a husband beating his wife, even if it's supposed to be punishment for her wronging him, is loving her as Christ loved the Church? And I'll ask again. Do you think your Pope would agree with your position?
I don't know. :idunno:
I wish to note, however, that I'm not speaking qua Christian, nor am I arguing from theological principles. I'm speaking
qua reasonable human being.