Grace Thompson
The Catholic Church allows widows to remarry, but the marriage ceremony is more sombre than that of a first marriage. The Church upholds the sanctity of marriage as the only proper context for sexual intimacy, emphasising the spiritual, emotional, and physical unity that marriage is designed to create. According to Catholic sexual ethics, sexual satisfaction is only morally acceptable within the bounds of marriage and should be open to the possibility of procreation. The Church discourages but does not prohibit second marriages, and widows who choose not to remarry are expected to live a chaste life, abstaining from sexual activity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are widows allowed to remarry? | Yes, widows are allowed to remarry in the Catholic Church. |
| Are widows encouraged to remarry? | The Church discourages but does not prohibit second marriages. |
| What are the conditions for remarriage? | The marriage must adhere to Catholic teachings, including being open to the possibility of procreation. |
| What if a widow chooses not to remarry? | The Church expects widows who do not remarry to live a chaste life, abstaining from sexual activity. |
| Are there any biblical references to support remarriage? | Yes, 1 Timothy 5:11–16 and 1 Corinthians 7:39 are cited as encouraging widows to remarry. |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's view on marriage
The Catholic Church upholds the sanctity of marriage as the only proper context for sexual intimacy, emphasising the spiritual, emotional, and physical unity that marriage is designed to create. Marriage is considered a sacred act that signifies the total self-giving and unitive love between husband and wife.
The Church teaches that sexual satisfaction is only morally acceptable within the bounds of marriage and should always be open to the possibility of procreation. For widows and widowers, the option to remarry is allowed, provided they do so in a manner that adheres to Catholic teachings. If either party decides not to remarry, the expectation from the Church is that they live a chaste life, abstaining from sexual activity.
The Church discourages but does not prohibit second marriages. St. Paul explains that it is better for widows to remain unmarried. However, he also wanted younger widows to remarry instead of being on the church's special widow care ministry, so as not to be a burden on the church and to avoid Satan's temptation.
In the Old Testament, if a man died childless, his widow was obliged to marry her deceased husband's brother. The high priest was forbidden to marry a widow, but other members of the priesthood were free to marry the widow of another priest, though not that of a layman.
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What happens if a spouse is missing and later declared dead?
In the Catholic Church, marriage is considered a lifelong commitment. If a spouse is missing, the other spouse cannot remarry until their partner is legally declared dead. This declaration requires reasonable evidence that the spouse has passed away. If the missing spouse is presumed dead but not legally declared deceased, any subsequent marriage would be void.
Once a spouse has been declared dead, the widow or widower is free to remarry in the Catholic Church. While the Church discourages second marriages, there is no prohibition. The wedding ceremony for a widow or widower is more sombre, and the father does not walk his daughter down the aisle or unveil her. If a widow or widower decides to remarry, the parish priest may request a copy of the death certificate, obituary, or testimony that the first spouse has died.
However, if a spouse is presumed dead and their partner remarries, only to have the first spouse reappear later, the Church's response is not explicitly outlined. Logically, if the first spouse is still alive, the marriage has not ended, and the second marriage is not valid. In such a scenario, the non-widow(er) would be expected to separate from their second spouse and return to their first marriage.
While the Bible does not prohibit widows from remarrying, St. Paul suggests that it is better for widows to remain unmarried:
> "Art thou bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife [i.e., a widow]? Seek not a wife." (1 Corinthians 7:27)
Elsewhere, St. Paul does not advise childless widows to remarry:
> "But she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, let her trust in God and continue in supplications and prayers night and day." (1 Timothy 5:5)
In the Old Testament, widows were generally seen as poor and in need of protection. While there was no law restricting a widow's remarriage, some widows devoted themselves to a life of special religious observance. The Apostles made the support of widows a special duty, collecting alms for them and entrusting their care to deacons.
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What does the Bible say about widows remarrying?
The Bible has a few things to say about widows remarrying. In the Old Testament, if a man died without children, his widow was obliged to marry her deceased husband's brother. If the latter refused to take her as his wife, he was put to shame before the people (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). The high priest was forbidden to marry a widow (Leviticus 21:14), but other members of the priesthood were allowed to take as a wife the widow of another priest, but not the widow of a layman (Ezekiel 44:22).
In the New Testament, St. Paul advises widowers and widows to remain single (1 Corinthians 7:8–9), although they may marry if they lack self-control. Paul affirms the goodness of second marriages when it comes to widows: "A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:39). He also encouraged younger widows to remarry in 1 Timothy 5:14: "I will, therefore, that the younger [wanton widows] should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families, give no occasion to the adversary to speak evil."
The Catholic Church discourages but does not prohibit second marriages. If a widow or widower decides to remarry, the parish priest may ask for a copy of the death certificate or obituary to confirm that the first spouse has passed away.
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What happens if a widow remarries outside the Church?
In the Catholic Church, widows are considered free to remarry. However, the Church discourages but does not prohibit second marriages. If a widow decides to remarry outside the Church, the marriage is not recognized as valid by the Catholic Church. According to Catholic theology, a valid marriage cannot be dissolved, even in the case of the death of a spouse. Therefore, if a Catholic widow remarries outside the Church, she is still considered to be in an invalid marriage and in an immoral situation.
To regularize their marital status in the eyes of the Church, the widow would need to follow certain steps. Firstly, she should speak to a parish priest about how to validate the second marriage canonically. Secondly, she would need to go to confession to address the moral issues arising from the extra-ecclesiastical marriage. This process would enable her to receive sacramental absolution and return to full communion with the Church.
It is important to note that the Catholic Church does not place any obligation on widows to remarry. While there are biblical passages, such as 1 Timothy 5:11–16, that suggest younger widows should remarry, these are not considered absolute commands. Instead, widows are encouraged to take their time and not feel pressured to rush into any new marriage.
In conclusion, while the Catholic Church does not prohibit widows from remarrying, it discourages the practice. If a widow chooses to remarry outside the Church, her marriage is not recognized as valid, and she would need to take specific steps to regularize her marital status and spiritual standing within the Church. Ultimately, the decision to remarry or not is a personal one, and widows are advised to seek guidance from God and give themselves time to heal before making any decisions.
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What is the Catholic view on divorce?
The Catholic Church's view on divorce is that it is not allowed, as marriage is considered a lifelong commitment. According to the Church, "a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death".
Jesus himself forbade divorce, saying, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6). This teaching is echoed by St. Paul, who states that a wife should not separate from her husband, and if she does, she should either remain single or be reconciled with her husband (1 Cor. 7:10-11).
The Church considers divorce an attempt to break the marriage bond, which is not possible between baptized Christians. Instead, the Church encourages separation in cases of physical or mental danger to the spouse or children, or in cases of adultery. While civil divorce may be "tolerated" to secure legal or financial rights, it does not affect the true bond of marriage in the eyes of the Church.
For Catholics who have divorced, the Church offers an annulment process, which recognizes that no sacramental marriage occurred due to certain issues or problems in the relationship. Obtaining an annulment is a requirement for any divorced Catholic who wishes to remarry within the Church.
While the Church discourages remarriage after divorce, it is not prohibited. However, remarriage without an annulment is considered a grave sin, and the remarried spouse is seen as committing "public and permanent adultery".
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, widows and widowers are allowed to remarry in the Catholic Church, as long as they do so in a manner that adheres to Catholic teachings.
The Catholic Church upholds the sanctity of marriage as the only proper context for sexual intimacy. The Church teaches that sex is a sacred act that should occur within the bounds of marriage, with the possibility of procreation.
The Church expects widows and widowers who decide not to remarry to live a chaste life, abstaining from sexual activity.
