Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church does not recognize religious divorce for valid, consummated marriages. However, civil divorce is allowed in certain circumstances, and annulments are also granted in certain circumstances. Divorce rates among Catholics vary depending on the specific demographic and context. Overall, Catholics tend to have lower divorce rates compared to the general population, with research indicating that 27%-28% of Catholic marriages in the US end in divorce, compared to a national average of about 50%Catholics who have ever been married, around one-third have experienced divorce, with rates being higher among cultural Catholics and ex-Catholics. Factors such as religious affiliation of spouses and frequency of Mass attendance also influence divorce rates, with Catholics marrying other Catholics having lower divorce rates than mixed marriages.
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What You'll Learn
Catholic marriages have a lower divorce rate than the US average
The lower divorce rate among Catholics may be attributed to various factors, including the influence of the Catholic Church's teachings and marriage-preparation programs. According to Christian Meert, the diocesan director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life in Colorado Springs, the Church's duty is to "catechize, evangelize these couples and help them encounter Jesus and convert," as well as educate them about the sacrament of matrimony, prayer, and the spiritual life. The popularity of pre-Cana programs, which strictly adhere to Church teachings on married life, may also play a role in strengthening Catholic marriages.
Additionally, it is suggested that Catholics who marry within their faith have lower divorce rates than those who marry non-Catholics. Data shows that Catholics who marry Protestants or non-religious spouses have a divorce rate of 49% and 48%, respectively. In contrast, Catholics who marry someone of a different non-Protestant religion, such as Judaism, have a 35% divorce rate. The lowest divorce rate of 27% is observed among Catholics who marry other Catholics. This indicates that sharing the same faith may contribute to the stability of a marriage.
However, it is important to note that the divorce rate among Catholics is still significant, representing more than 11 million individuals. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate expressed concern that the decline in annulments, which have decreased in the past two decades, may not necessarily indicate stronger marriages. Instead, it could suggest that fewer divorced individuals are seeking annulments, either due to a lack of awareness, acceptance of various family arrangements, or other personal reasons.
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Divorce rates are lower when both partners are Catholic
While the divorce rate in America is often stated to be around 50%, this figure does not apply to Catholic marriages. Research shows that Catholic marriages are doing well compared to marriages in the general population. Divorce rates are even lower when both partners are Catholic.
According to a 2007 survey from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, 27% of Catholics married to other Catholics have experienced divorce. This is significantly lower than the rate for Catholics married to non-Catholics, which is 48% for non-religious spouses and 49% for Protestants.
The lower divorce rates among Catholics may be due to several factors. Firstly, the Catholic Church's teachings and marriage-preparation programs may contribute to stronger marriages. The Church emphasizes the need for adequate time for marriage preparation and provides access to high-quality marriage-preparation programs. These programs, such as pre-Cana courses, equip couples with knowledge about the sacrament of matrimony, prayer, and the spiritual aspects of married life.
Additionally, shared faith and values between spouses can create a stronger foundation for the marriage. Practicing Catholics who enter matrimony with another practicing Catholic have lower divorce rates. This could be because their shared faith encourages them to seek God's help in their marriage and provides a common framework for navigating life's challenges.
Furthermore, weekly Mass attendance and engagement with the Catholic community may also play a role in lower divorce rates. Married Catholics who attend Mass weekly are less likely to have experienced divorce compared to those who attend less frequently. The sense of community and shared beliefs fostered by regular Mass attendance can provide support and guidance for couples, potentially contributing to the strength and longevity of their marriages.
While the divorce rate is lower among Catholic couples, it is important to acknowledge that divorce does occur within the Catholic community. The Church recognizes the need for outreach and ongoing ministry to support the significant number of Catholics affected by divorce, ensuring they feel welcomed and accompanied in their faith journey.
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Catholic divorcees rarely seek annulments
According to a 2015 survey, among Catholics who have gone through a divorce, only about a quarter (26%) say they or their former spouse sought to have their marriage annulled by the church. Three-quarters did not seek an annulment, giving a variety of reasons for their decision. About 43% of divorced Catholics who did not seek an annulment say they did not see its necessity or did not want to annul their marriage. This includes some who say they have no plans to remarry (5%) and others who prefer not to invalidate their marriage (4%). Nearly three-tenths (27%) of divorced Catholics who did not seek an annulment say they or their spouse were not Catholic at the time of their marriage or divorce, or they had not married in the church. An additional 10% cite the process as too expensive or complicated, and 5% believe their request would be denied.
Annulments, or declarations of nullity, are required by the Catholic Church for divorced individuals who wish to remarry within the Church or become a Catholic. This is because the Church considers marriage a lifelong bond and requires proof that an essential element was missing in the previous union to prevent a valid marriage. While divorce ends a marriage from a legal standpoint, annulment addresses the religious and spiritual element, examining the moment the couple exchanged vows. It is a misconception that annulment erases history or makes children of the marriage illegitimate.
The Catholic Church recognises marriages between non-Catholics as binding for life. Therefore, a non-Catholic who wishes to remarry a Catholic or convert to Catholicism after a divorce must obtain an annulment from the Church. The Church's response to divorce and new family trends will be discussed at the triennial World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia during Pope Francis' visit to the United States.
In the United States, Catholic annulment requests are typically accepted by tribunals only after the divorce is finalised. The Church initially encourages separated couples to reconcile, and annulment petitions are not accepted if there is a possibility of reconciliation. The USCCB's Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan, published in 2009, urges divorced persons wishing to remarry in the Catholic Church to seek counsel about options, including the suitability of a declaration of nullity when reconciliation is no longer feasible.
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Catholics who attend Mass weekly are less likely to divorce
While divorce rates among Catholics are significant, they are lower than those of other religious affiliations in the US. A 2007 survey from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate estimates that only 27% of Catholics married to other Catholics have experienced divorce, compared to nearly half of Catholics married to Protestants or spouses with no religious beliefs.
Catholics who attend Mass weekly are less likely to experience divorce. 86% of married Catholics who attend Mass weekly report that their marriages are recognized by the Catholic Church, compared to 65% of married Catholics who attend Mass less often. This may be due to the fact that weekly Mass attendees are more likely to believe core Catholic teachings without doubt. For example, 80% of weekly Mass attendees agree that prayer is essential to their faith, compared to 71% of all Catholic parents.
However, it is important to note that the divorce rate among Catholics is still high, with one-third (34%) of married Catholics having experienced divorce. Among Catholics who have gone through a divorce, about a quarter (26%) sought to have their marriage annulled by the Church. The decline in annulments has been accompanied by a sharper decline in marriages celebrated in the Catholic Church. In 2011, less than 8% of weddings took place in the Church.
Despite the high divorce rate among Catholics, they are more accepting of various family arrangements, including cohabitation and same-sex relationships. Adults are waiting longer to get married, and some are forgoing marriage altogether while living with their romantic partners and raising children.
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Catholic divorcees with children are less likely to attend Mass
While divorce rates among Catholics are lower than the US national average, divorce is still a reality for many Catholic couples. A 2007 survey from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate estimated that 27% of Catholics married to other Catholics have experienced divorce, compared to nearly half of Catholics married to Protestants or spouses with no religious beliefs. A 2014 survey by the Vatican's Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae (ASE) found that 20.7% of Catholic adults in the US have experienced divorce at some point in their lives, with 8.7% describing their current marital status as divorced.
For Catholic divorcees with children, the decision to continue attending Mass can be influenced by several factors. One significant factor is the belief in the importance of sacraments for their children. Catholic parents who attend Mass regularly are more likely to consider First Communion and Confirmation as "very important" for their children. This can motivate divorced Catholic parents to maintain their connection to the Church and continue attending Mass, especially if they hope for their children to receive these sacraments in the future.
However, it is important to note that parents who have separated or divorced are among the least likely to attend Mass weekly, with only 15% in this subgroup attending regularly. This low attendance rate could be influenced by a variety of factors, including the potential stigma or sense of judgment they may feel within the Catholic community due to their divorce. Additionally, the busyness and demands of single parenthood or co-parenting can leave less time for Mass attendance and religious practices.
Another factor that may impact Mass attendance among Catholic divorcees with children is the desire for their children to receive a Catholic education. While 68% of Catholic parents do not enrol their children in formal Catholic religious education, those who do may feel a stronger connection to the Church and be more inclined to attend Mass regularly. The choice to enrol their children in Catholic schools or religious education programs can also provide a sense of community and support for these parents, potentially encouraging their continued involvement in the Church through Mass attendance.
While divorce is not condoned by the Catholic Church, the Church recognizes the reality of divorce in modern society. The Church's response to divorce and remarriage has evolved, with an increasing emphasis on providing support and outreach to divorced Catholics. This includes recognizing the validity of civil divorce in certain cases, as outlined in canon law, and the importance of ensuring the legal rights and care of children in these situations.
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Frequently asked questions
While the exact percentage is unclear, it is estimated that between 27% and 28% of Catholic marriages in the US end in divorce. This is lower than the US national average of around 50%.
Catholics have a lower divorce rate than other major religious groups in the US. For example, 49% of religiously unaffiliated Americans who have ever been married have also been divorced, compared to 55% of Black Protestants and 45% of White Evangelical Protestants and White Mainline Protestants.
Catholics who marry other Catholics have a lower divorce rate than Catholics who marry non-Catholics. The divorce rate for Catholics married to other Catholics is estimated to be between 27% and 28%, while the rate for Catholics married to non-religious spouses is around 48%.
