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This is an oft-confused topic: what does the Catholic Church really teach about divorce? Isn't an annulment just a Catholic divorce? If I am Catholic and divorced can I remarry; can I receive communion? We'll answer those questions here.
What does the Catholic Church teach about divorce?
Since divorce is so common these days (about 50% of married couples get divorced) it's important for people to know what the Church teaches.
First and foremost the Catholic Church does not believe in divorce. In fact a true, sacramental marriage is impossible to dissolve thereby making divorce impossible.
In marriage, the two become one flesh in a union joined by God, (Mark 10:8)
Jesus speaks about divorce: "Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate," (Mark 10:9). So for a marriage that truly took place before God, divorce is impossible.
Marriage directly parallels our relationship with God. God is 100% faithful in his relationship with us those who choose to get married are called to the same faithfulness.
What about if one spouse is abusive or unfaithful?
There are some cases where living together has become too difficult or practically impossible. The Church permits a physical separation of the spouses and living apart, but the two still remain married.
"The Christian community is called to help these persons live out their situation in a Christian manner and in fidelity to their marriage bond which remains indissoluble," (CCC 1649).
Isn't an annulment just a Catholic divorce?
No. An annulment says that the marriage never really was valid to begin with. If at least one criterion for marriage was not met then the marriage can be considered invalid and an annulment will be granted.
The annulment process is often long, usually lasting about a year or longer; the people who make up the marriage tribunal for your diocese must do a lot of work in determining if the marriage was a valid one or not.
If I am Catholic and divorced can I get remarried?
Perhaps, but only if you've received an annulment (which means you were never married in the first place). If you receive a civil divorce, but no annulment then you are still married to the other person and would be committing adultery if you married another.
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," (Mark 10:11-12).
If I am divorced can I still receive communion?
If your marriage was not annulled and you chose to remarry, then no. Otherwise it is perfectly acceptable to receive the Eucharist. For more detail please reference CCC #1650-1651.
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