Headquarters
Authoritative teaching for all Catholics.
Canon
Law and the Catechism have much to say about divorce. It is allowed
ONLY under certain circumstances and in accordance with certain specified
procedures to ensure no scandal is caused. Communion should be denied
by those unrepentant of serious sin. See commentary with excerpts
from Canon Law and Catechism.
Pope
John Paul II, Nov. 21, 2004
To Destroy the Family Is to Destroy
Society, Warns Pope
Bible:
"For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel" (Mal 2:16).
Judah is chastised for divorcing his wife and priests are warned that they
shall be cursed because they caused many to falter by their void instructions.
Cursed priests are teaching that evil is good.
Fr.
Miller's Program for Divorced
Divorce is one of the greatest evils
of our times. Everything possible must be done to stop its ravages upon
the solidity of the family. This does not mean that divorced persons,
whether guilty or innocent, must be spiritually neglected. They can and
must still save their souls. To do so, this is the program they should
follow.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church 2384-2386
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.
Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family
and into society. ... 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
Code
of Roman Catholic Canon Law. 1151
Spouses have the obligation and
the right to maintain their common conjugal life, unless a lawful [according
to canon law] reason excuses them.
Pontifical
Council for Legislative Texts
President of Council for Legislative
Texts recommends a resource which states, "Since divorce laws have proliferated
in many countries, the need to request the diocesan bishop's authorization
is a necessary precaution, which prevents the fostering of [civil] trials
whose judgments violate precepts of divine law, to the detriment of the
spouses and with the risk of scandal to others." Canon 1692
Pontifical
Council of the Family Oct. 2000
Being rooted in the personal and
total self-giving of the couple, and being required by the good of the
children, the indissolubility of marriage finds its ultimate truth in the
plan that God has manifested in His revelation: He wills and He communicates
the indissolubility of marriage as a fruit, a sign and a requirement of
the absolutely faithful love that God has for man and that the Lord Jesus
has for the Church.
Pope
John Paul II, Jan. 2004 Section 5
[In] accordance with human experience
marked by sin, a valid marriage can fail because of the spouses' own misuse
of freedom.
Pope
John Paul II Jan. 2002 Sec 5. Par. 2
Whenever a couple is going through
difficulties, the sympathy of Pastors, ... must be combined with clarity
and fortitude in remembering that conjugal love is the way to work out
a positive solution to their crisis. Given that God has united them by
means of an indissoluble bond, the husband and wife by utilizing all their
human resources, together with ... the assistance of divine grace, can
and should emerge from their moments of crisis renewed and strengthened
... Sec 9. Par 5 Lawyers, as independent professionals,
should always decline the use of their profession for an end that is contrary
to justice, as is divorce. They can only cooperate in this kind of activity
when, in the intention of the client, it is not directed to the break-up
of the marriage.
Regional Representatives Contradict
authoritative Church teaching. DISSENTING
National
Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat, Nov 1996
Generally, people going through
a divorce suffer ... a deep sense of guilt. They often turn to their
faith community seeking affirmation and acceptance, especially if they
haven't found it in their family. [Most people experiencing divorce]
just don't have the skills to stay married. (McCord) DISSENTING
North
American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics, Inc. recognized
by USCCB nonprofit
501(c)(3)
Although it has been commonly assumed
that the Catholic Church does not allow or condone divorce, this is not
actually the case. ... While the Church has never approved of divorce,
and certainly has never encouraged it, the attitude toward divorce and
divorced persons has gradually evolved. ... Rather than expect an
attitude of condemnation or accusation, divorced persons now can go to
their parishes for support, encouragement ... (NADSDC) DISSENTING
North
American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics, Inc. Trenton NJ
priest/author, Fr. Bausch,
Many disagree with the church's
stand on sexuality. ... Sexual morality is part of our unfinished agenda;
it requires a continually formed conscience and a great respect for a communal,
not merely a person, context. ... The challenge is to finish up the business
God gave you to do and to make a difference. To correct where you can,
change what you might... You too, after all, as we never tire of saying,
are the church. (Fr. Bausch) DISSENTING
North
American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics, Inc., U.S.
Catholic published by Claretians
Theologians are still discussing
what makes a marriage a sacrament. ... 'But now the authorities, the theologians
and the canonists are turning to the married to find out what marriage
is - and therefore what the sacrament is.'... Over the years I have
heard more and more complaints about the increasing authoritarianism in
the church, but I have also seen the laity become more mature and independent.
... I encourage the making of a 'holy rule' for oneself. (Fr. Fehren) DISSENTING
Dennis
and Kay Flowers with Imrimatur from US Bishop
Many times past guilt is simply
a "learned" behavior, an attitude that has been laid on you by ... a strict
religious setting, or even your own parents. This kind of guilt is
best recognized and set aside; it has no place in true inner emotional
healing. ... If your guilt [is] ... still so great that [it] overshadow
God’s truths about His forgiveness and His love and concern for you, then
do one thing more ... Shove your feelings and your negative emotions
aside ... Take God at His Word, ... and choose to believe you have
been forgiven. (pg 42-45 Flowers) DISSENTING
North
American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics, Inc. endorsed
Jan Leary, Voice of the Faithful
People make mistakes and, therefore,
divorce and remarriage is permitted. ... If the two parties
no longer do things together, have sexual relations, like or love each
other, and so forth, the marriage no longer exists. The Church needs
to recognize [divorce] and develop a way of dealing with divorce in a way
that all will see as honorable, humane, and healing. (Page
202-203, Jenks) DISSENTING