Is civil divorce wrong?

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Because divorce is one act, it is not a state of sin. Anyone who has committed a sin is free to receive confession and the eucharist, providing that they received confession first if they had committed a mortal sin. So the sacraments are always available to one unless one is living in a state of continual (mortal) sin, ie no repentance.

Also, I think, part of the problem is the fear of showing a lack of compassion to divorced people. Even if the divorce is sinful, it is highly likely that one of the spouses is innocent of any sin. Yet they are divorced. If they stress that divorce itself is sinful, then there is a good probability that the innocent spouse will have a misunderstanding and think the Church is condemning them. So the matter is better left up to individual conversations between pastors and the people involved, both before and after the divorce.

It is an understandable and justified concern. But that doesn’t mean that it cannot be handed pastorally and still follow the canons involved. Most practicing catholics, if they end up getting a divorce, will have talked to their pastor beforehand, at least I hope so. So pastors often have plenty of opportunity to provide the moral guidance needed.
 
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tafan2 said:
So pastors often have plenty of opportunity to provide the moral needed.
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And a written statement would verify their pastoral advice given. At least regarding civil divorce.

This would provide documentation for anybody to whom it may concern.

It can be contested, discussed further, brought to the Bishop, etc. but at least it’s out in the open, and not done in secret.

It actually would help prevent manipulation from one spouse, and establish the Church’s position at the given time.

I dont understand why people are afraid of it.
 
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