Rachel Evans
Adultery is considered a grave offense against the dignity of marriage in the Catholic Church, and while it is not explicitly stated as grounds for divorce, it can be a complex issue. The Bible offers varying interpretations, with some passages suggesting that adultery may be an exception, while others emphasize the indissolubility of marriage. Catholics seeking divorce due to adultery may consider annulment, which recognizes certain grounds, including infidelity, that existed before the marriage was officially formalized.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Adultery as grounds for divorce | Adultery is not a valid reason for divorce, but it is grounds for separation. |
| Adultery as grounds for separation | Adultery is considered a grave offense against the dignity of marriage, and a spouse can separate from their partner without dissolving the marriage bond. |
| Catholic annulment | Adultery is considered valid grounds for annulment, which is a type of divorce in the Catholic Church. |
| Remarriage after divorce | If a Catholic divorces their spouse, they can remarry in the Church as long as certain steps are followed. |
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What You'll Learn
Adultery as grounds for divorce in the Bible
Adultery is often cited as a ground for divorce in the Bible, but the exact interpretation of certain passages is disputed. One of the most commonly cited passages is Matthew 19:9, which reads: "And I say to you: Whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery." The phrase "except for unchastity" is often interpreted as referring to adultery or sexual sin, which would mean that adultery is a valid reason for divorce. However, some argue that the original Greek word used here, "porneia", refers to something other than adultery, such as fornication or illicit marriages.
Another passage that is often cited in this debate is Matthew 5:31-32, which states: "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Here again, the "exceptive clause" of "except on the ground of unchastity" is subject to different interpretations. Some see it as legitimizing divorce in cases of adultery or sexual sin, while others argue that it does not refer to adultery at all.
It is worth noting that the parallel passages in Mark and Luke omit these exceptive clauses entirely. In Mark 10:11-12, Jesus says: "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." Similarly, Luke 16:18 states: "Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." The absence of any exception for adultery or sexual sin in these passages suggests that divorce is not permitted under any circumstances.
Despite these differing interpretations, it is clear that both Jesus and Paul strongly condemned divorce and remarriage. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 39, Paul writes: "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. A husband must not divorce his wife... A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord." These passages emphasize the indissolubility of marriage and the importance of reconciliation in cases of separation.
While adultery, abuse, and abandonment are often cited as biblical grounds for divorce, the Bible does not explicitly mention these as valid reasons. Instead, the Bible emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and the need for repentance and restoration in cases of marital strife. Divorce is seen as a last resort, and even in cases of separation, reconciliation is always the ideal goal.
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Jesus' views on divorce
Jesus's views on divorce are recorded in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark. The Pharisees, a religious group, asked Jesus whether a man could legally divorce his wife for "any cause at all". This was a test, designed to trap Jesus into discrediting himself.
Jesus responded by saying: "What did Moses command you?". The Pharisees replied that Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce. Jesus then said that Moses only wrote this commandment because of the "hardness of heart" of the people of Israel. Jesus clarified that God intended marriage to be a lifelong, faithful union of a man and a woman, and that people should not separate what God has joined together.
Jesus's view was stricter than that of the rabbinic school of Hillel, which held that divorce was permissible "for any cause". His view was more similar to that of the school of Shammai, which restricted legitimate divorce to marital unfaithfulness. However, some scholars argue that Jesus only permitted divorce in the case of porneia, a Greek word that can refer to any form of sexual sin, including adultery.
Jesus taught that divorce and remarriage could be permissible in certain circumstances. He said that "whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery". This suggests that divorce and remarriage are allowed, but that the innocent party is the only one permitted to remarry.
Jesus's teachings on divorce reflect his belief in the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. While he acknowledged the reality of human fallibility, he emphasised God's original intent for marriage as a sacred and permanent union.
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Annulment as an alternative to divorce
Adultery is a complex issue in the context of Catholic divorce. While some interpretations of the Bible suggest that adultery may be grounds for divorce, others argue that it does not dissolve the marriage bond and that spouses are not free to remarry.
Annulment, or a "declaration of nullity," is an alternative to divorce recognised by the Catholic Church. Unlike divorce, which ends a marriage, annulment declares that a valid marriage never existed in the first place. This determination is made by a Church tribunal, which examines whether something essential was missing at the time of consent, such as the intention to marry for life, to be faithful, and to be open to having and raising children. It also considers whether the consent was given in the presence of two witnesses and an authorised Church minister.
The Catholic Church considers an openness to children as a natural and essential part of sacramental marriage. However, the presence or absence of children does not impact the possibility of annulment. Both spouses have equal rights in the annulment process, and their consent at the time of the wedding is scrutinised, not their current wishes. The tribunal judges can grant an annulment even if one spouse is opposed to it.
The annulment process can be emotionally challenging, especially if one spouse comes from a faith tradition that accepts divorce and remarriage. It is important to note that annulment is not a way to dissolve a marriage but rather a recognition that a valid marriage, according to Church law, never existed due to missing essential elements.
While divorce is a civil matter, annulment is a religious and spiritual process rooted in the Gospel and Church doctrine. It allows divorced Catholics to lawfully remarry in the Church, as it declares that the previous marriage was not legally binding due to defects in consent or psychological capacity.
The fees for the annulment process vary depending on the tribunal and locality but are generally much lower than civil divorce fees. No one is turned away due to an inability to pay, and the process itself is not a money-making proposition.
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Divorce as a grave offense
Divorce is considered a grave offense in Catholicism. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, divorce is a "grave offense against the natural law" that breaks the contract between spouses to live together until death. It harms the "covenant of salvation" and introduces disorder into families and society, causing harm to spouses, children, and the community.
Adultery is also deemed a grave offense, violating the commitment and covenant of marriage, transgressing the rights of the spouse, and undermining the institution of marriage. In the Bible, Jesus condemns divorce and remarriage, except in cases of unchastity or sexual immorality, which has been interpreted as adultery or unfaithfulness. However, the interpretation of this exception is debated, and some argue that it refers to illicit or unlawful marriages rather than adultery as a ground for divorce.
While divorce is not permitted in the Catholic Church, annulment is an option in certain circumstances. Annulment treats the marriage as if it never existed, and there are specific grounds for annulment, including infidelity before the marriage. If annulment is not granted, Catholics may choose to repair their marriage or, as a last resort, pursue a civil divorce.
The Catholic Church emphasizes the indissolubility of lawful marriage and upholds that a "ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death." This teaching reflects the belief that marriage is a lifelong commitment mirroring God's faithful love.
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Divorce and remarriage
The Catholic Church's teachings on divorce, annulment, remarriage, and communion are laid out with clarity and charity. Marriage is a powerful sign and a doorway into the mystery of God himself—the communion of life and love shared by the Holy Trinity. God points to marriage between a man and a woman as an image of his passionate longing and permanent, life-giving love for us.
In the Bible, Chapter 19 of St Matthew's Gospel says that whoever divorces his wife, except in the case of adultery, and marries another, commits adultery. However, this text has been a cause of confusion and misunderstanding for a long time. The phrase "except in the case of adultery" is translated differently in different versions of the Bible. Some interpret this to mean that when there has been adultery or unfaithfulness on the part of one of the spouses, the couple can separate, or "divorce", but the marriage bond remains intact and the spouses are not free to marry again.
The Catholic Church does not recognize divorce in any form. A civil divorce may be necessary in some situations, but the separated parties are still considered married in the eyes of the Church, and any remarriage will not be recognized unless one party dies or the marriage is annulled. Annulment is the Church's process of determining that a sacramental marriage never took place, and the marriage is therefore invalid. Anyone who wishes to remarry in the Church, even if they are not Catholic, must submit their prior marriage(s) to the scrutiny of the Church.
Widowed people may remarry, but divorced people may not. The Church teaches that some marriages are “illicit” (Matt. 19:9) and that some people are “incapable of marriage” (Matt. 19:11-12). Some people who attempt marriage are not just physically incapable but seriously, psychically incapable: being far too young, under grave force or fear, having grave mental or emotional defects, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
Adultery is considered a grave offense against the dignity of marriage in Catholicism. While some interpretations of the Bible suggest that adultery may be grounds for divorce, others argue that it is not permitted. Ultimately, the decision to divorce or separate in the Catholic Church may depend on individual circumstances.
In the Bible, Jesus condemns divorce and remarriage, stating that "whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery." However, there are passages in Matthew's Gospel that include an "exceptive clause," suggesting that adultery may be an exception.
The "exceptive clause" appears in Matthew 5:31-32 and 19:9, where Jesus says, "whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her commit adultery." This clause is interpreted differently, with some seeing it as permitting divorce in cases of adultery, while others argue it refers to illicit marriages.
There are three main interpretations of this phrase. The first is that adultery allows spouses to separate, but they cannot remarry. The second is that Jesus is abolishing Old Testament permissions for divorce. The third is that the marriage bond remains intact, and spouses cannot remarry.
Catholics facing adultery in their marriage can consider a Catholic annulment, which is a process facilitated by professionals, including current and former church judges. Annulments may be granted if there were grounds for annulment at the start of the marriage, such as infidelity or a secret marriage with another partner.
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