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What Happens If Catholics Get Divorced?

Published in Religion 2 mins read

Catholicism considers marriage a sacred bond, a sacrament, and a lifelong commitment. Divorce is not recognized within the Catholic Church, meaning that a Catholic marriage cannot be legally dissolved through a divorce. However, the Church does offer a process called annulment, which declares that a valid marriage never existed in the first place.

Annulment Process

If a Catholic couple separates and wishes to remarry in the Church, they must seek an annulment. This process involves:

  • Filing a petition: The couple or one of the parties must submit a petition to the local diocese, outlining the reasons for the annulment request.
  • Investigation: The diocese will investigate the case, reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses.
  • Decision: The tribunal, a group of Church officials, will then decide whether to grant the annulment.

Consequences of Divorce

While a divorce does not dissolve a Catholic marriage in the eyes of the Church, it does have consequences:

  • Remarriage: A Catholic who divorces and remarries outside of the Church is considered to be living in a state of adultery.
  • Communion: A Catholic who is divorced and remarried outside the Church may not receive Communion.
  • Penance: The Church may impose penance on a divorced Catholic who remarries outside the Church.

Understanding the Church's Perspective

The Catholic Church believes that marriage is a lifelong commitment and that divorce breaks this commitment. The annulment process seeks to determine whether a valid marriage ever existed in the first place, rather than dissolving a valid marriage.

Resources and Additional Information

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