Divorce Question

[Jess5377]

If you merely acquiesced to the divorce, you would not be guilty of any sin. It would be your husband’s sin. However, you would still be obligated to live as though you were married (no dating, no friend’s with “benefits”, etc.). Many older adult Catholics that I know are in this situation.

Legal separation, where you divide your assets, and live a part temporarily or permanently may be a better option. You would still be legally married, but have greater flexibility to avoid conflict.

Due to your fairly young age when you married, it is possible one of you did not fully understand marriage, and thus did not properly consent. Your diocese has a committee (the tribunal) that could interview you and your husband to see if this were the case. If they rule in your that your marriage was invalid, you would be free to remarry.

However, there is no guarantee that the tribunal would find your marriage to be “null” (invalid). Only couples that divorce can be investigated, so think long and hard before you attempt this process.

I was curious about the sin aspect so thank you for bringing that up. I would be willing to explore other options but my husband isn’t so I don’t have much of a choice. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. God bless.

 

[HolyRosaryChild]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If your Husband is filing for Divorce and has initiated it and processes the Divorce; you are not to blame (there are extenuating situations if one is not honouring and fulfilling the conjugal Rights within the Marriage); entirely up to God Our Heavenly Father and through the Priest at Reconciliation; one example being that if a Husband or Wife has made the decision not to have Children within the Marriage that God has taught us through His Holy Word and Scriptures.

In your situation it appears you are not to blame for breaking your marriage vows ie you wish to stay married and you wish to fulfil your Catholic Marriage vows and bring through God’s Children.

Visit your Parish Priest before separating and/or your Husband processes any Divorce; both of you together along with giving yourselves as God’s Children (and your Souls for after this Life on Earth) by undertaking counselling for often the problems within Marriage can be identified as problems from our Childhood, Teens or young adulthood.

Best wishes

 

[hurting]

If you merely acquiesced to the divorce, you would not be guilty of any sin. It would be your husband’s sin. However, you would still be obligated to live as though you were married (no dating, no friend’s with “benefits”, etc.). Many older adult Catholics that I know are in this situation.

**Legal separation, where you divide your assets, and live a part temporarily or permanently may be a better option. You would still be legally married, but have greater flexibility to avoid conflict. **

Due to your fairly young age when you married, it is possible one of you did not fully understand marriage, and thus did not properly consent. Your diocese has a committee (the tribunal) that could interview you and your husband to see if this were the case. If they rule in your that your marriage was invalid, you would be free to remarry.

However, there is no guarantee that the tribunal would find your marriage to be “null” (invalid). Only couples that divorce can be investigated, so think long and hard before you attempt this process.

At least in my state, a legal separation is a de facto divorce, or perhaps better thought of as a dissolution, which is a mutual severing of the legal ties. It involves all of the elements of a divorce (child support, alimony, division of property). Do not involve the legal system in your situation unless you absolutely have to do so; it is patently hostile to sacramental marriage.

Catholic spouses are called to live the conjugal life, with all that entails and may not separate (even short of legal separation) absent approval from their bishop, except in emegent situations. Sadly this canon is rarely enforced, or so it would appear based on my research. Find a conservative priest with whom you can discuss this matter.

 

[Rence]

At least in my state, a legal separation is a de facto divorce, or perhaps better thought of as a dissolution, which is a mutual severing of the legal ties. It involves all of the elements of a divorce (child support, alimony, division of property). Do not involve the legal system in your situation unless you absolutely have to do so; it is patently hostile to sacramental marriage.

Catholic spouses are called to live the conjugal life, with all that entails and may not separate (even short of legal separation) absent approval from their bishop, except in emegent situations. Sadly this canon is rarely enforced, or so it would appear based on my research. Find a conservative priest with whom you can discuss this matter.

Not that it isn’t, but where is it written in Canon or Catechism that one has to get permission from their bishop to separate or divorce? And anyway, if the OP is even thinking of annulment, she should know that a tribunal won’t even look at her marriage until there is a divorce. Divorce is required before appealing for an annulment.

 

[Usige]

Not that it isn’t, but where is it written in Canon or Catechism that one has to get permission ?rom their bishop to separate or divorce? And anyway, if the OP is even thinking of annulment, she should know that a tribunal won’t even look at her marriage until there is a divorce. Divorce is required before appealing for an annulment.

I believe they are referring to Canons 1151-1155 with regard to seperation while the bond remains. In particular 1152§3 and 1153§2 speak to eclisiastic authority in cases of continued separation.

 

[Jess5377]

And anyway, if the OP is even thinking of annulment, she should know that a tribunal won’t even look at her marriage until there is a divorce. Divorce is required before appealing for an annulment.

Yes I’m aware. I wasn’t really asking about the annulment right now but was given a lot of useful information. All of this will be a huge help to me in the future.

 

[Jess5377]

I’m trying to reply to everyone or at least thank them for replying to me, as I know time isn’t always something we have in excess. If I don’t I’m truly sorry. I keep losing track of who I’ve answered and who I haven’t but I do appreciate every reply. I didn’t expect anyone to since no one knows me here.