What do you think about the Catholic position on divorce?
(NOTE: An annulment is NOT a "Catholic divorce" as they are commonly called . . . it is a declaration that the marriage contract was never valid to begin with for some reason or another, so therefore, under Church law, the marriage never occurred.)
2007-03-12 17:19:46 · 9 answers · asked by jtaylornl 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
I think the Catholic Church's view on marriage and divorce consistently follows biblical and apostolic teachings.
The Pharisees approached and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?"
They replied, "Moses permitted him to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her."
But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother (and be joined to his wife), and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate."
In the house the disciples again questioned him about this.
He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." (Mark 10:2-12)
With love in Christ.
2007-03-13 17:21:35 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are mistaken- the Catholic Church does not forbid divorce, and does not consider divorce a sin. Proof? A divorced person is allowed to receive the sacraments- as long as they have not remarried.
Your statement about annulments is 100% correct.
The Church teaches that there are situations where separation or even civil divorce may be necessary, especially in cases of abuse ( physical, sexual or substance). In these cases, it may be necessary for the safety of the innocent spouse and children. Of course, reconciliaiton of the spouses is preferred, but sometimes that cannot happen.
A civil divorce is an indication the marriage may not have had the sacramental grace necessary from the beginning to be a lasting bond. That is why the annulment process is available.
2007-03-13 10:04:07 · answer #2 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I does not effect me, I am not catholic. However, the catholic church is a private establishment and is allowed to make any rules they deem appropriate for their followers. It is the followers choice if they wish to remain part of the establishment which provides these rules.
Honestly I think it is admirable that the catholic church has taken a stance on an issue and has "stuck to their guns" so to speak. So many churches bend to political and social pressure.
I do think that divorce should be allowed in rare occasions. Abuse being the main reason. I just don't think it is right that a man or woman has to stay in a relationship where they may or may not get the crap beat out of them that day or the next.
2007-03-13 00:30:51 · answer #3 · answered by Poppet 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, you're wrong. Divorce is looked down upon in the Catholic church, but it is not forbidden. I have known more than one catholic couple who have gotten divorced. What an annulment does is invalidate the marriage for the sake of allowing both parties to pursue a second marriage in the future.
2007-03-13 00:23:33 · answer #4 · answered by begeeman13 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that it's old school way of thinking. If people find that they are not a life long match, then why be tortured the rest of their lives by being made to stay in the marriage? I agree that people walk away from their marriages far to easily these days, but a person shouldn't be forced to stay with someone in the name of religion.
2007-03-13 00:24:36 · answer #5 · answered by Royalhinney 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who cares what someone's views are? If you are catholic, you pay by their rules.
If you don't like the rules, don't be a catholic.
Some catholics certainly have been giving their own religion a horrid black eye lately. Maybe they could work on ratting out all the pedophile boy molesters and rapists, then sit down and discuss what a marriage is after that. You know, *prioritize*.
2007-03-13 01:43:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
sad to say but when I learned about Priests molesting young children at church I have lost a lot of respect for the catholic religion
2007-03-13 00:28:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is backwards to forbid this in this day and time. Catholic clergy have no idea what real life is all about. They live in a fantasy world where everything is spoonfed to them
2007-03-14 12:51:56 · answer #8 · answered by westphalia1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is very outdated and now-a-days very realistic, the Catholic religion is easing up on this subject though
2007-03-13 01:16:05 · answer #9 · answered by fayebrah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋