Catholic FAQ #2: I got a divorce. Can I still be a Catholic?

Monsignor Eric Barr, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious for the Diocese of Rockford, IL, responds to the frequently asked question - "I got a divorce. Can I still be a Catholic?"

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Catholic
• Divorce
• Monsignor Eric Barr
• Catholic Church

[spinemelter2000]

The explanation you just gave of Jesus' reason for banning divorce -- is that in the Bible? If so, what passage? I would like to read more about it.

[BigGrinStudios]

@spinemelter2000 Msgr. Barr's comment about Jesus banning divorce is in reference to Matthew 19:1-12 - specifically verse 6 which states, "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate."

[XxemohorrorxX]

My parents divorced after my father cheated. Would my mother be accepted in the Catholic church? Would my father? I was brought up non-denominational but now that I'm an adult and want to make a decision on religion. I'd really appreciate some advice. Thank you and God bless!

[BigGrinStudios]

@XxemohorrorxX I’m sorry to hear about your parents’ marriage. Infidelity is devastating. Jesus Christ taught about the indissolubility of marriage and the Church cannot abolish this demand. However, Pope Benedict XVI speaks about “painful situations” and encourages pastors to discern different experiences carefully in order to offer a compassionate response. The Church absolutely accepts your parents and invites them to seek healing within the context of the family and community of God.

[Siguror6]

Jesus said your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more. The Catholic church is apparently above God, therein lies it's demise. Would Jesus banish a sinner? Of course not! What does Jesus say about Priest pedophiles? What is THEIR precise punishment? 

[MrWildbill20056]

@westsidewarrior1972 There is no 'bread and wine' to be taken. We accept it to be literally, the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not something to be dealt with lightly.

Hence anyone with grave sin upon their souls is prohibited from recieving it, not only remarried people.

Further these 'single' men do not lack hearts or hormones, their commitment is to God nonetheless. They know relationships, differently perhaps, but they are not aliens.

[westsidewarrior1972]

Sorry. This comes from a church filled with SINGLE men who are priests. NONE of them have the anguish of being in a horrible marriage. "Oh yes, divorced Catholic, you can still come to Mass. But if you fall in love, and want to marry someone else, well, please, come to Mass, but you may not receive the Bread and Wine?"

[MarioKartFigure]

@BigGrinStudios But that is if the marriage is RIGHT. If the Church, which is morally right, looks that the marriage wasn't even right at the beginning, then you are entitled to a divorce.

[unixmanable86]

The problem is, Jesus DID ban divorce. Jesus words remain true today. If he is your father and you are HIS church, you will teach his words. Divorce was (and still is) Banned. Only the pope and priests say it was unbanned. The cannon scripture says no such thing. Grace allows a believer to remain separate, true. After all, you cannot force your wife or husband to convert. This verse is in 1 Corinthians 7:15 (King James Version). But that is mainly for unbelievers, it says so, verse 15 (KJV)

[FRANCISCGEORGE]

But some civilly divorces are not guilty of the grave sin..2386 It can happen that one of the spouses is the innocent victim of a divorce decreed by civil law; this spouse therefore has not contravened the moral law. There is a considerable difference between a spouse who has sincerely tried to be faithful to the sacrament of marriage and is unjustly abandoned, and one who through his own grave fault destroys a canonically valid marriage.179

As long as they remain faithful to the covenant

FCG

[FRANCISCGEORGE]

2386 It can happen that one of the spouses is the innocent victim of a divorce decreed by civil law; this spouse therefore has not contravened the moral law. There is a considerable difference between a spouse who has sincerely tried to be faithful to the sacrament of marriage and is unjustly abandoned, and one who through his own grave fault destroys a canonically valid marriage.

If u have been civilly divorced by someone but remain faithful to the marriage, u may partake of the Eucharist.

[FRANCISCGEORGE]

CIVIL divorce may be okay in certain circumstances... when there are no other alternatives and AFTER seeking permission from the bishop (ccc2383 & Can 1151-5)

It is important to note that being civilly divorced does not automatically indicate that you are divorced in your heart and no longer consider yourself to be married. There are many, especially in a "no-fault divorce" society, who are abandoned but remain faithful. Our Catechism makes it clear that these people are not in grave sin. FCG