A CATHOLIC VIEW ON D I V O R C E

A CATHOLIC VIEW ON  D I V O R C E

By Eileen Renders                                          October 17, 2023

   God has said; “What God joins together, let no man put asunder.” In other words, Marriage is a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman in the eyes of
God, it is a holy sacrament.

   Then are we to believe that God wants a woman to remain with a man who abuses her, physically, mentally and, or spiritually? Or must a man remain with a woman who without regret, is sexually active outside of the marriage? The answer to those questions is a resounding no. The marital vows are broken and often there is no way to repair that marriage because the one who has broken their vows neither has regret, sorrow, or a willingness to make reparation to their mate.

   The next question may then be; “Is a second marriage recognized and approved by the Catholic church, especially for the one who did not cause the divorce”?

The answer to that question, once again is No. However, if the individual can obtain a dispensation through the Catholic church by proving that their circumstances warrant a divorce degree, they may receive a dispensation. That individual must petition the bishop of the diocese in which they reside for that dispensation.

   They could marry again, but would also be required to attend Counseling prior to a new marriage with a new partner. Should that individual decide to marry a non-Catholic, he, or she must be married in the Catholic church in order for that marriage to be recognized by the Catholic church. The non-Catholic partner must also agree to be willing to have any children born of such marriage to be Baptised and raised Catholic. Without following the above steps, a Catholic may not remarry in the Catholic church, nor partake of the sacraments.