According to Jesus and the book of Esther, marriage is a union between two people that should not be broken by human intervention. Consequently, the Church teaches that no earthly authority can validly approve Christian divorce and remarriage. Yet, some marriages – including those between Christians – still end in separation. When faced with an unbearable situation, Catholics often ask: What options are available when a marriage is no longer tolerable? Do divorced individuals remain in a state of sin? Can they receive communion if they remarry? And what is the process of annulment?
Separation of spouses. Let us now look at spouses whose marriage is falling apart and who want to be processed as the Church advises them. What should they do? A few observations about living together,
The Catholic Church holds that the essence of a valid marriage lies in the mutual exchange of marital consent in the presence of a licensed officiant and two witnesses.
The church’s opinion on civil divorce.
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Sometimes, however, the life or “skin” of children or a spouse is literally at risk. For example, a husband behaves violently towards his wife or children, abuses and beats them or otherwise seriously threatens their life or mental and spiritual well-being. If this danger cannot be resolved in any other way, the church agrees to permanent separation. common life provides the other party with a legal reason to withdraw by decree of the local ordinary, and if there is danger from delay, also by discretion. § 2: In all cases, after the termination of the reason for separation, conjugal cohabitation must be resumed, unless the ecclesiastical authority stipulates otherwise.”
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Is remarriage possible?
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But divorced Catholics sometimes want to remarry, or even marry outside the Church, for example civilly. Is there any hope or solution for them? Pope John Paul II. addressed them in one of his speeches as follows: “God will not cease to love those who are divorced, even those who have entered into a new, irregular [illegal] union. He will continue to accompany these people with the unchanging fidelity of his love, constantly reminding them of the sanctity of the transgressed rule, but at the same time inviting them not to lose hope.” The Pope continues by pointing out that the Church imitates God when they old, although “he insists on the practice found in the Scriptures of not allowing these people to receive the Eucharist.
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Annulment of marriage,
Applying for annulment of marriage is another crucial step that can be taken, particularly for those considering or already in a new marriage. This process is not a divorce, but rather a declaration that the original marriage was invalid and therefore never existed. To understand this, it’s essential to know the conditions required for a church-concluded marriage to be valid. Both spouses must be Christians, committed to a lifelong union, open to having children, and possess mental balance, emotional maturity, and the capacity for commitment. The marriage must also be performed according to Church regulations. If these conditions are met and the marriage is consummated, it becomes indissoluble, meaning it cannot be annulled..
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Finally a few observations.
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The Church encourages mercy and understanding towards those whose marriages have failed, yet emphasizes the importance of preventing such failures. To this end, the Church teaches couples preparing for marriage essential qualities, including generosity, love, forgiveness, and the ability to make a lifelong commitment. This commitment requires surrendering to something greater than oneself and recognizing that a path focused solely on personal ego leads to spiritual, mental, and human decline. In contrast, growth comes through sacrifice, self-denial, and self-giving. By entering marriage with these qualities, couples can build a strong foundation, sparing them from later doubts and concerns about divorce.
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