Divorce in Catholicism on grounds of adultery
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With respect, you're asking mostly non-Catholics what a Catholic is "allowed" to do, which is a bit silly. You might as well ask an American what the gun laws are in Australia (hint: the laws are very different).
According to most thoughtful readers, the Bible teaches that a person whose spouse has committed adultery may divorce.
Generally, 'fornication' is used to mean sexual intercourse between unmarried persons, while 'adultery' is used to mean sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse.
According to most thoughtful readers, the Bible teaches that a person whose spouse has committed adultery may divorce.
Generally, 'fornication' is used to mean sexual intercourse between unmarried persons, while 'adultery' is used to mean sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse.
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Not exactly. Here is what their Catechism says:
"The Catechism says, “Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law. It claims to break the contract, to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other till death. Divorce does injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign. Contracting a new union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried spouse is then in a situation of public and permanent adultery” (CCC 2384)"
The Catholic Church teaches "annulment" (which for all practical purposes is divorce).
"That passage [in Scripture] might trouble someone who is divorced and remarried but who never went through the annulment process and received from the Church a declaration of nullity (i.e. “an annulment”)."
https://relevantradio.com/2021/07/what-does-the-catholic-church-teach-about-divorce-and-remarriage/
"The Catechism says, “Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law. It claims to break the contract, to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other till death. Divorce does injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign. Contracting a new union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried spouse is then in a situation of public and permanent adultery” (CCC 2384)"
The Catholic Church teaches "annulment" (which for all practical purposes is divorce).
"That passage [in Scripture] might trouble someone who is divorced and remarried but who never went through the annulment process and received from the Church a declaration of nullity (i.e. “an annulment”)."
https://relevantradio.com/2021/07/what-does-the-catholic-church-teach-about-divorce-and-remarriage/
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They can divorce their spouse if they commit adultery because they broke the covenant between them and their spouse, or if they die.
There are many people who claim to be a Christian that divorce and it was not because of adultery, and they did not die, and then remarry, but if they do that then they are committing adultery the whole time they are with the person.
And how do you repent of it if you stay married for you would continue to commit adultery.
I do not think you can ask for forgiveness for remarrying if you stay married for how do you get away from committing adultery if you stay married.
It seems like you would have to divorce, and then never get married again to escape committing adultery, and repent for remarrying.
There are many people who claim to be a Christian that divorce and it was not because of adultery, and they did not die, and then remarry, but if they do that then they are committing adultery the whole time they are with the person.
And how do you repent of it if you stay married for you would continue to commit adultery.
I do not think you can ask for forgiveness for remarrying if you stay married for how do you get away from committing adultery if you stay married.
It seems like you would have to divorce, and then never get married again to escape committing adultery, and repent for remarrying.
Technically, adultery (or fornication) inherently involves intercourse, but obviously, a married person who is engaging in sexual activity with a person other than their spouse is being unfaithful. I would consider it grounds for divorce, but I'm not a pastor so my opinion will probably never make a difference for anyone else.
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Two of the Gospels forbid divorce and remarriage. One contains the phrase 'except it be for fornication', but those who hold to the conservative view argue that it doesn't outright allow remarriage in the case of fornication. And none of these New Testament passages say a woman can divorce and remarry. The Matthew passage is about a man divorcing his wife, not the other way around. Roman Catholics go with the traditional view.
But there are some nuances. Marriages not entered into with the intention of marriage for life may not be considered accepted. Marriages between close relatives may be considered illegitimate. I'm not 100% sure on this, but historically, unconsummated marriages might not count.
Also, if a Roman Catholic marries a Protestant, if the Protestant is okay with children being raised Roman Catholic, a priest or bishop or whoever has the authority in their system to do so can sanctify it... or bless it... or whatever they call it, to recognize the marriage. But otherwise it is possible that such a marriage might be considered invalid.
There has been some 'corruption' where people get marriages annulled for various reasons. There have been cases historically where a royal will get a marriage to some reasonably distant marriage considered invalid and annulled. I read that a huge percentage of annulments are from people in the USA.
I remember back in the 1990's hearing someone talk about how one of his relatives was trying to get an annulment from a husband who was a drug addict from within the RCC. To me, this sounded like they might be trying to game the system. It was tough being married to this guy, so figure out a way to argue the case, but I just heard this second-hand and didn't know all the actual details.
If a marriage is between two Roman Catholics, generally the marriage is considered valid for life. If you divorce and remarry, you can be cut off from communion.
But I might say in some ways it is clearer and there may be less 'corruption' on this issue than with some Protestants. Some churches just accept any secular divorce whether it follows their own beliefs on divorce or not. At least they know what the rules are, and they don't accept a divorce on paper from the state if it doesn't conform with how they interpret the teaching of Christ on the issue. Not recognizing marriages to Protestants was a bit shocking to me when I read about that. That's a danger a Protestant marrying a Roman Catholic, thinking they believe in marriage for life, should be aware of.
But there are some nuances. Marriages not entered into with the intention of marriage for life may not be considered accepted. Marriages between close relatives may be considered illegitimate. I'm not 100% sure on this, but historically, unconsummated marriages might not count.
Also, if a Roman Catholic marries a Protestant, if the Protestant is okay with children being raised Roman Catholic, a priest or bishop or whoever has the authority in their system to do so can sanctify it... or bless it... or whatever they call it, to recognize the marriage. But otherwise it is possible that such a marriage might be considered invalid.
There has been some 'corruption' where people get marriages annulled for various reasons. There have been cases historically where a royal will get a marriage to some reasonably distant marriage considered invalid and annulled. I read that a huge percentage of annulments are from people in the USA.
I remember back in the 1990's hearing someone talk about how one of his relatives was trying to get an annulment from a husband who was a drug addict from within the RCC. To me, this sounded like they might be trying to game the system. It was tough being married to this guy, so figure out a way to argue the case, but I just heard this second-hand and didn't know all the actual details.
If a marriage is between two Roman Catholics, generally the marriage is considered valid for life. If you divorce and remarry, you can be cut off from communion.
But I might say in some ways it is clearer and there may be less 'corruption' on this issue than with some Protestants. Some churches just accept any secular divorce whether it follows their own beliefs on divorce or not. At least they know what the rules are, and they don't accept a divorce on paper from the state if it doesn't conform with how they interpret the teaching of Christ on the issue. Not recognizing marriages to Protestants was a bit shocking to me when I read about that. That's a danger a Protestant marrying a Roman Catholic, thinking they believe in marriage for life, should be aware of.
I failed to mention, that this is a characteristic of "last day" society, sort of an indication of ungodliness.
[Mat 24:38 KJV] 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
[Luk 17:26-27 KJV] 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
[Rom 13:14 KJV] 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].
[Mat 24:38 KJV] 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
[Luk 17:26-27 KJV] 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
[Rom 13:14 KJV] 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].