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The Catholic Church has a very strict position on divorce, and rightly so, for Scripture discourages the act of divorce as well. Difficulties arise however, when one is told that God only accepts a person based upon his performance. The Catechism imposes unnecessary restrictions upon those who are in difficult marriages. These restrictions influence one’s ability to participate in the ‘so called’ life-giving sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. We see in Scripture various encounters that Jesus had with men discussing this very topic.

Para 2382…Between the baptized, ‘a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death.’

Mathew 5:31-32 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Para 1650. “Today there are numerous Catholics in many countries who have recourse to civil DIVORCE and contract new civil unions. …they cannot receive Eucharistic communion as long as this situation persists.

Para 1665. "The remarriage of persons divorced from a living, lawful spouse contravenes the plan and law of God as taught by Christ. They are not separated from the Church, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion….

Mathew 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

Para 1129. "The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation…

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

According to Scripture, divorce is permissible under two conditions. The first deals with infidelity on behalf of the other partner (Mat 5:32, Mat 19:9). Secondly, divorce in allowable if an unbelieving partner walks away from the marriage resulting in abandonment (1Corinthians 7:15). It is clear from the context of Scripture that reconciliation is preferred but God does allow divorce under these circumstances. From these various passages we see how seriously both the Holy Scriptures and the Catechism deal with marriage. However, as these truths are lived out in a Catholic’s life, a dilemma arises when confronted with the issue of divorce. The Roman Catholic caught in the tug of war of divorce is forced to abstain from receiving the Eucharistic sacrament (ccc1650 and 1665) and the Catechism states clearly that participating in the sacraments is necessary for salvation (ccc1129). As a way of getting around this teaching the Roman Catholic Church created the Catholic annulment and the Catholic teaching on marital separation.

The Scriptures, though, dear Catholic reader, teach that a person’s marital status does not prohibit the salvation of one’s soul. Matthew 12:31: Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men.

Divorce

Annulment

Separation