Michael Brooks
Catholicism has a strict stance on divorce, which has been a point of contention for many of its followers. The religion considers marriage to be a sacrament instituted by God and Christ, and therefore, indissoluble by human action. This belief is based on the interpretation of Jesus' words in the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, where he quotes Genesis 2:24, stating that a man and woman should become one flesh. As such, divorce is not permitted, and remarriage after divorce is considered adultery. This has led to difficult situations for some Catholics, who feel trapped in unhappy or abusive marriages, as they are unable to dissolve their union without committing a sin. While legal separation and annulments are possible, they are not always easily obtained, and civil divorce does not free individuals to remarry in the eyes of the Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic Church's view on divorce | The Catholic Church does not prohibit civil divorce, but a Catholic may not remarry after a civil divorce without an annulment. |
| Catholic Church's view on remarriage after divorce | The Catholic Church considers remarriage after divorce as adultery. |
| Catholic Church's view on annulment | The Catholic Church grants annulment if the marriage is deemed invalid. |
| Catholic Church's view on adultery | Adultery is considered a grave reason for divorce, and Catholics are permitted to obtain a civil divorce in such cases without committing sin. |
| Catholic Church's view on divorcees | There is an attitude in the Church that divorcees are less spiritual and less committed to marriage. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics are permitted to obtain a civil divorce without sinning
Catholicism has a complicated relationship with divorce, and it is a topic that has been discussed and debated for centuries. While the Catholic Church does not prohibit civil divorce, it is frowned upon, and those who have divorced are often viewed as less spiritual or less committed to the idea of marriage.
The Church teaches that the separation of spouses is permissible in specific circumstances, and adultery is considered a valid reason for separation in many cases. Catholics are permitted to obtain a civil divorce without sinning, as long as it is the only way to ensure legal rights, the care of children, or the protection of an inheritance. This is outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which states that divorce may be necessary to "ensure legal rights, the care of children, or the protection of inheritance" (CCC 283-285).
However, it is important to note that the Church does not recognise civil divorce as a complete termination of a marriage. In the eyes of the Church, a marriage can only be terminated if it is found to be invalid from the start, in which case an annulment is granted. Without an annulment, a Catholic who has undergone a civil divorce is still considered married in the eyes of the Church and is not permitted to remarry.
The Catholic Church's stance on divorce is rooted in its belief that marriage is a sacred and indissoluble union between two people, joined by God. This belief is based on the words of Jesus in the Bible, particularly in Matthew 19, where Jesus states that divorce and remarriage are wrong. However, there are different interpretations of this passage, and some argue that it allows for divorce in the case of spousal infidelity.
Despite the Church's teachings, it is important to recognise that divorce is a complex and personal issue, and each situation is unique. While the Church may not condone divorce, it does offer support for those struggling in their marriages, such as the Retrouvaille program, which aims to help heal hurting marriages.
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Adultery is considered a valid reason for divorce
Adultery is considered a grave reason for the separation of spouses in many circumstances. Catholics are allowed to obtain a civil divorce without committing sin if it is the only way to ensure legal rights, the care of children, or the protection of inheritance. However, the Church has never permitted divorce and remarriage for any reason.
The Gospel of Matthew seems to allow for a situation in which divorce and remarriage are permissible. This passage has been interpreted in three ways, all of which exclude divorce and remarriage. The first interpretation, the patristic view, holds that the exception clause "except for sexual immorality" allows for divorce in the case of spousal infidelity, but does not include the freedom to remarry. The second interpretation is that "'unchastity' refers to invalid unions, where the 'spouses' are living together in a relationship prohibited by law, such as incest. In this case, the couple can separate and remarry validly. The third interpretation is that "'except for unchastity' means 'regardless of the Old Testament grounds for divorce', indicating that Jesus is abolishing the Old Testament's permission of divorce in certain circumstances.
The Code of Canon Law mentions adultery as grounds for separation while recommending that the other spouse forgive the adulterous partner. However, it does not authorize divorce. The Church teaches that a couple can separate, but neither separation nor civil divorce dissolves the marriage bond.
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Catholics cannot remarry after a civil divorce without an annulment
The Catholic Church discourages divorce but does not reject or turn away parishioners who have gone through divorce. Catholics are permitted to obtain a civil divorce without committing sin if it is the only way to ensure legal rights, the care of children, or the protection of an inheritance. However, if a Catholic wishes to remarry after a divorce, they must first get an annulment, or their new marriage will be considered adulterous.
The Catholic Church requires divorced Catholics who wish to remarry to go through the "tribunal process", in which a bishop decides whether to apply a declaration of nullity to the end of the marriage. If the bishop does not grant a declaration of nullity, the divorced Catholic can still get remarried, but they would have to do so outside of the Catholic Church.
Annulment in the Catholic Church differs from civil annulment. While a civil annulment declares that the marriage never existed, a Catholic annulment acknowledges that the marriage existed but failed to thrive. To get a Catholic annulment, a divorced Catholic must submit a written statement explaining the reason for the divorce.
Even after a civil divorce, a Catholic who does not receive an annulment is still married in the eyes of the Church and would be committing adultery if they remarried. However, simply being divorced does not bar Catholics from receiving the Eucharist. Divorced Catholics can continue to participate in church activities, and if they do not remarry, they can receive the sacraments of confession and Communion.
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Divorcees face judgement from non-divorced Catholics
While the Catholic Church does not prohibit civil divorce, it does not permit Catholics to remarry after a divorce unless they have received an annulment under narrow circumstances. This is because the Church considers marriage to be instituted by God and indissoluble by human action. This belief has resulted in a perception that divorcees are judged by non-divorced Catholics as being less spiritual, less committed to marriage, or less forgiving.
The Church teaches that the separation of spouses is permissible for grave reasons, and adultery is considered a grave reason in many circumstances. Catholics can obtain a civil divorce without committing sin if it is the only way to ensure legal rights, child care, or the protection of inheritance. However, divorcees who remarry are considered to be committing adultery, and the Church has historically opposed the legalization of civil divorce in Catholic countries.
The perception of judgement from non-divorced Catholics can be challenging for divorcees within the Church. It is important for non-divorced Catholics to be mindful of their assumptions and discard any trace of judgement toward those who have divorced. While the Church's teachings on divorce and remarriage can be complex and ambiguous, it is crucial to remember that marriage is not a forever thing, and that divorce can sometimes be necessary to protect one's well-being and legal rights.
Some Catholics who have experienced divorce share their stories and offer comfort to others in similar situations. They emphasize the importance of dialogue between non-divorced and divorced Catholics to foster a healthier understanding of the impact of divorce on individuals and families. Additionally, resources such as Catholic support networks are available to help hurting marriages before individuals consider divorce.
In conclusion, while the Catholic Church's teachings on divorce and remarriage are strict, it is important for non-divorced Catholics to refrain from judging divorcees. Divorcees within the Church may face challenges and perceptions of judgement, but they can also find comfort in their faith, support from fellow Catholics, and guidance from resources designed to support marriages in crisis.
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The Catholic Church historically opposed civil divorce
The Catholic Church has historically opposed divorce, considering it a "grave sin" and a "grave offence against natural law". This belief is rooted in the Bible, where Jesus emphasizes the permanence of marriage in the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 10:1-12, Matthew 19, Luke 16:18) and states that those who remarry commit adultery.
From the ninth or tenth century onwards, the Catholic Church's influence led to a significant reduction in the divorce rate. Marriage was defined as a sacrament, instituted by God, and therefore indissoluble by human action. This belief was further reinforced by Pope Innocent III in 1208, who required members of another religious movement to recognize marriage as a sacrament for readmission to the Catholic Church.
While civil divorce is permitted by the Catholic Church, it is only tolerated under specific circumstances. The Catechism states that civil divorce may be acceptable if it is the only way to ensure legal rights, the care of children, or the protection of inheritance. However, Catholics are not allowed to remarry after a civil divorce unless they receive an annulment, which is a declaration that the marriage was not canonically valid.
The Church's stance on divorce has led to a perception of divorced Catholics as "less spiritual, less committed to marriage, and/or less forgiving" by non-divorced Catholics. This judgmental attitude can cause divorced Catholics to feel excluded from the Church, believing that they no longer belong or are unable to participate in certain practices.
While the Church has not officially changed its position on divorce, there have been recent developments that offer some comfort to divorced Catholics. In 2016, Pope Francis published Amoris laetitia, which pertains to the reception of Holy Communion by the divorced and remarried. Additionally, programs like Retrouvaille, a Catholic support network, aim to help hurting marriages and prevent divorce.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church considers marriage to be instituted by God and Christ and therefore indissoluble by mere human action. According to scripture, if you divorce your spouse and marry another, it is considered adultery.
Adultery is considered a grave reason for spouses to separate. The Church teaches that separation is permissible for grave reasons, but a civil divorce does not free individuals to remarry.
An annulment means there was never a marriage in the eyes of the Church, and therefore it is not a dissolution but an assessment that a marriage never existed. The Church requires marriage counseling before an annulment is granted.
Catholics in a complicated marriage can seek marriage counseling or support networks like Retrouvaille, which is designed to save hurting marriages. They can also seek a legal separation, which was historically termed "divorce a mensa et thoro" or "divorce from bed-and-board."
