
The Catholic Church has strict views on divorce, which it considers a grave offense against the natural law. While civil divorce is tolerated under certain circumstances, remarriage is not allowed unless the previous marriage is annulled. The Church teaches that a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death. However, divorced Catholics are still welcome to participate fully in the life of the Church as long as they have not remarried against Church law.
The Bible also contains references to divorce, with Jesus forbidding divorce and decreeing that husband and wife are no longer two but one. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder (Matt. 19:6).
Despite the Church's teachings, divorce is common among Catholics, and the Vatican has begun a re-examination of the Church's treatment of divorced worshippers.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Divorce | Not a mortal sin |
Divorce and remarriage | Adultery |
Divorce | Grave offense against the natural law |
Divorce | Introduces disorder into the family and society |
Divorce | Contagious |
Divorce and separation | Two different things |
Civil divorce | Tolerated under certain circumstances |
Divorce | Not possible between two baptized persons |
A spouse who is divorced unwillingly | Not culpable for the breaking of conjugal life |
Divorce | Not equivalent to annulment |
What You'll Learn
Divorce is not a mortal sin
While the Catholic Church treats all consummated sacramental marriages as permanent and does not allow remarriage after a divorce, divorce itself is not considered a mortal sin.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "imputability and responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified by ignorance, duress, fear, habit, inordinate attachments, and other psychological or social factors". In other words, the morality of an action depends not only on the objective action but also on the intention and the circumstances. While divorce is an "objective situation" and is wrong, it does not necessarily make the couple guilty of committing a mortal sin.
Cardinal Carlo Caffara, the Archbishop of Bologna, admits that the Church does not deny communion to divorced and remarried couples because it presumes they are in a state of mortal sin, but rather because their relationship "objectively contravenes God's law" and allowing them to receive the Eucharist would be a source of scandal and confusion for other faithful followers regarding the indissolubility of marriage.
Divorce is considered a grave offense against the natural law and introduces disorder into families and society, but it is important to distinguish between the act of divorce and the state of sin of the individuals involved. While the Church recognises that divorce is contrary to its teachings, it also acknowledges that there are various factors that can influence and mitigate an individual's responsibility and guilt.
Furthermore, the label "divorced" does not define a person. It is an event that happened and does not reflect the sum total of who a person is. God sees individuals as his beloved with all their gifts, talents, and potential. While divorce is not condoned, it is important to recognise that it does not define a person's worth or their standing with God.
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Divorce is a grave offense against natural law
Divorce is considered a grave offense against natural law by the Catholic Church. This is because the natural law is another term for the universal moral law of God, to which all are bound.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that "a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death" (CCC 2382). This is based on the belief that marriage is a lifelong covenant and the foundation of family and society.
The Catholic Church views divorce as a violation of this covenant, which introduces disorder into families and communities. It is seen as a contagious act that can spread across generations and cultures, leading to broken marriages, shattered families, and traumatized children.
While the Church recognizes civil divorce or annulment, it does not consider these as true dissolutions of a marriage. Instead, it maintains that a valid marriage bond remains intact until the death of a spouse.
The Church's stance on divorce is rooted in its interpretation of the teachings of Jesus Christ and St. Paul in the Bible. Jesus is quoted as saying, "What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6), emphasizing the permanence and indissolubility of marriage.
St. Paul reinforces this teaching, instructing, "To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband)—and that the husband should not divorce his wife" (1 Cor. 7:10-11).
The Church's position on divorce is a reflection of its commitment to revering and protecting spouses, children, extended families, and society as a whole. It upholds the sanctity of marriage as a sacred covenant between a man, a woman, and God.
While divorce is seen as a grave offense, the Church also recognizes the need for compassion and healing for those who have experienced it. Pope Francis, for example, has initiated a re-examination of the Church's treatment of divorced worshippers, seeking ways to welcome them back into full participation in church life.
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Divorce is contagious
The Catholic Church's stance on divorce is clear: it is a "grave offense against the natural law". The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that divorce "introduces disorder into the family and society" and "brings grave harm to the deserted spouse and to children traumatized by the separation of their parents and often torn between them" (CCC 2384-2385).
The Catechism goes on to say that divorce is "contagious", spreading like a "plague" or "epidemic" across communities, cultures, and even generations. This idea of contagion is not just metaphorical but reflects the very real impact divorce can have on those around us.
When a couple divorces, it can shake the foundation of their community, causing a ripple effect of doubt and uncertainty. Friends and family may begin to question their own relationships, and the idea of divorce can take root and spread, leading to a breakdown of societal stability. This is especially true when the divorce is highly public or involves prominent members of a community.
The "contagious effect" of divorce can be seen in how it influences the attitudes and behaviours of those around the divorced couple. People who are already feeling dissatisfied or unhappy in their marriages may view divorce as a viable option, believing it will lead to greater happiness or freedom. This can create a cycle where the acceptance of divorce as a solution to marital problems leads to an increase in divorce rates, further normalizing the act and making it seem like an attractive solution to difficult relationships.
The Catholic Church's concern about the contagious nature of divorce is not just theoretical but is based on observing the very real impact divorce can have on society. The Church recognizes that divorce can have far-reaching consequences beyond just the couple involved, affecting families, communities, and future generations.
While the Church's teaching on the permanence of marriage may seem strict, it is rooted in the belief that strong, lifelong marriages are the foundation of a healthy society. By discouraging divorce, the Church aims to promote stable families and protect the well-being of spouses and children.
However, it's important to note that the Church also recognizes the complexity of these issues and offers support and compassion to those struggling with divorce. While divorce may be considered a grave offense, it is not viewed as a mortal sin, and the Church provides avenues for healing and reconciliation, such as annulments and reconciliation with God through confession and penance.
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Civil divorce may be tolerated under certain circumstances
The Catholic Church's stance on divorce is clear: it is a grave offense against the natural law, introducing disorder into the family and society. Divorce is understood as the dissolution of a marriage, which is not possible between two baptised persons.
However, the Church does make a distinction between divorce and annulment. A civil divorce is a termination of the marriage contract by the government, which is tolerated under specific circumstances. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that civil divorce may be tolerated if there is no other way to secure legal/financial rights or care for children (CCC 2383). This tolerance does not affect the true bond of marriage, which remains intact in the eyes of God.
The Church recognises that divorced and remarried couples may not be in a state of mortal sin. While their relationship objectively contravenes God's law, the morality of their actions depends on their intentions and circumstances. The final relatio from the 2015 Synod specifically cites this teaching, explaining that the "evaluation of an objective situation must not lead to a judgement on the 'subjective' imputability [of the couple]" (85).
Divorce, therefore, may be tolerated under certain circumstances, but the Church still treats all consummated sacramental marriages as permanent and does not allow remarriage after divorce unless the marriage is annulled. Annulment is not a divorce; it is a declaration that the marriage was never valid, and persons whose marriages are annulled are free to marry in the Church.
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A divorced person can still attend Mass
Divorce is not a mortal sin according to the Catholic Church. However, the Church does consider it a grave offense against the natural law, introducing disorder into the family and society. The Church teaches that a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death.
Despite this, divorced people are still welcome to participate fully in the life of the Church, as long as they have not remarried against Church law. This means that a divorced person can still attend Mass. The Church generally requires civil divorce or annulment procedures to have been completed before it will consider annulment cases. Annulment is not the same as divorce – it is a declaration that the marriage was never valid to begin with.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
> Imputability and responsibility for an action can be diminished or even nullified by ignorance, duress, fear, habit, inordinate attachments, and other psychological or social factors.
This means that a couple can be divorced and remarried outside the Church, but this does not necessarily make them "subjectively" guilty of committing a mortal sin. While their actions remain objectively wrong, their guilt may be diminished or nullified.
Some high-level Church officials want the Church to relax its rules so that divorced Catholics can more fully return to Church life, particularly by receiving communion. However, traditionalists argue that the indissolubility of marriage is ordained by God and therefore non-negotiable.
As one commentator puts it:
> God hates divorce. But God doesn't hate divorced people.
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Frequently asked questions
Divorce is considered a grave offense against the natural law in the Catholic Church. However, it is not considered a mortal sin.
Divorced Catholics are welcome to participate fully in the life of the church as long as they have not remarried against church law.
The Catholic Church does not allow remarriage after a divorce if the other spouse still lives and the marriage has not been annulled. Remarriage after divorce is considered adultery.