Pope Francis on Divorce and Remarriage

[McCall1981]

From an essay by CDF Prefect, Archbp Muller, published today in L’Osservatore Romano:

‘Reconciliation through sacramental confession, which opens the way to reception of the Eucharist, can only be granted in the case of repentance over what has happened and a “readiness to undertake a way of life that is no longer in contradiction to the indissolubility of marriage.” Concretely this means that if for serious reasons, such as the children’s upbringing, the new [merely civil] union cannot be dissolved, then the two partners must “bind themselves to live in complete continence”.’

…

“A further case for the admission of remarried divorcees to the sacraments is argued in terms of mercy. Given that Jesus himself showed solidarity with the suffering and poured out his merciful love upon them, mercy is said to be a distinctive quality of true discipleship. This is correct, but it misses the mark when adopted as an argument in the field of sacramental theology. The entire sacramental economy is a work of divine mercy and it cannot simply be swept aside by an appeal to the same. An objectively false appeal to mercy also runs the risk of trivializing the image of God, by implying that God cannot do other than forgive. The mystery of God includes not only his mercy but also his holiness and his justice. If one were to suppress these characteristics of God and refuse to take sin seriously, ultimately it would not even be possible to bring God’s mercy to man. Jesus encountered the adulteress with great compassion, but he said to her “Go and do not sin again” (Jn 8:11). God’s mercy does not dispense us from following his commandments or the rules of the Church. Rather it supplies us with the grace and strength needed to fulfil them, to pick ourselves up after a fall, and to live life in its fullness according to the image of our heavenly Father.”

…

"Even if there is no possibility of admitting remarried divorcees to the sacraments, in view of their intrinsic nature, it is all the more imperative to show pastoral concern for these members of the faithful, so as to point them clearly towards what the theology of revelation and the Magisterium have to say. The path indicated by the Church is not easy for those concerned. Yet they should know and sense that the Church as a community of salvation accompanies them on their journey. Insofar as the parties make an effort to understand the Church’s practice and to abstain from communion, they provide their own testimony to the indissolubility of marriage.

Clearly, the care of remarried divorcees must not be reduced to the question of receiving the Eucharist. It involves a much more wide-ranging pastoral approach, which seeks to do justice to to the different situations. It is important to realize that there are other ways, apart from sacramental communion, of being in fellowship with God. One can draw close to God by turning to him in faith, hope and charity, in repentance and prayer. God can grant his closeness and his salvation to people on different paths, even if they find themselves in a contradictory life situation. As recent documents of the Magisterium have emphasized, pastors and Christian communities are called to welcome people in irregular situations openly and sincerely, to stand by them sympathetically and helpfully, and to make them aware of the love of the Good Shepherd. If pastoral care is rooted in truth and love, it will discover the right paths and approaches in constantly new ways."

osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/cultura/2013/243q13-Sull-indissolubilit–del-matrimonio-e-il-di.html&title=The%20Power%20of%20Grace&locale=en

 

[Tigg]

‘Reconciliation through sacramental confession, which opens the way to reception of the Eucharist, can only be granted in the case of repentance over what has happened and a “readiness to undertake a way of life that is no longer in contradiction to the indissolubility of marriage.” Concretely this means that if for serious reasons, such as the children’s upbringing, the new [merely civil] union cannot be dissolved, then the two partners must “bind themselves to live in complete continence”.’

…

“A further case for the admission of remarried divorcees to the sacraments is argued in terms of mercy. Given that Jesus himself showed solidarity with the suffering and poured out his merciful love upon them, mercy is said to be a distinctive quality of true discipleship. This is correct, but it misses the mark when adopted as an argument in the field of sacramental theology. **The entire sacramental economy is a work of divine mercy and it cannot simply be swept aside by an appeal to the same. **An objectively false appeal to mercy also runs the risk of trivializing the image of God, by implying that God cannot do other than forgive. The mystery of God includes not only his mercy but also his holiness and his justice. If one were to suppress these characteristics of God and refuse to take sin seriously, ultimately it would not even be possible to bring God’s mercy to man. Jesus encountered the adulteress with great compassion, but he said to her “Go and do not sin again” (Jn 8:11). God’s mercy does not dispense us from following his commandments or the rules of the Church. Rather it supplies us with the grace and strength needed to fulfil them, to pick ourselves up after a fall, and to live life in its fullness according to the image of our heavenly Father.”

Clearly, the care of remarried divorcees must not be reduced to the question of receiving the Eucharist. It involves a much more wide-ranging pastoral approach, which seeks to do justice to to the different situations. It is important to realize that there are other ways, apart from sacramental communion, of being in fellowship with God. One can draw close to God by turning to him in faith, hope and charity, in repentance and prayer. God can grant his closeness and his salvation to people on different paths, even if they find themselves in a contradictory life situation. As recent documents of the Magisterium have emphasized, pastors and Christian communities are called to welcome people in irregular situations openly and sincerely, to stand by them sympathetically and helpfully, and to make them aware of the love of the Good Shepherd. If pastoral care is rooted in truth and love, it will discover the right paths and approaches in constantly new ways."

osservatoreromano.va/portal/dt?JSPTabContainer.setSelected=JSPTabContainer%2FDetail&last=false=&path=/news/cultura/2013/243q13-Sull-indissolubilit–del-matrimonio-e-il-di.html&title=The%20Power%20of%20Grace&locale=en

Thank you for posting this!

Just emphasized some of the highlights that for me speak consistently to my own understanding and hopefully will stop those in their tracks who secretly wish for the Church to change her teaching.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Thank you for posting this!

Just emphasized some of the highlights that for me speak consistently to my own understanding and hopefully will stop those in their tracks who secretly wish for the Church to change her teaching.

And secretly or openly , it also speaks to those who apparently do not believe that marriage is divine law. In fact, it is. Certain technical particulars belong to canonical law, but the indissolubility of a genuine heterosexual marriage, entered into with full consent, knowledge, and upright intention to fulfill one’s responsibilities to one’s spouse, and without hidden or deceitful impediments, is not “a canonical matter” that can be dispensed with arbitrarily by any human person, but rather an institution of God Himself. Every Catholic should understand this and be able to defend this explicitly, or there was something lacking in his or her catechesis.

 

[Tigg]

And secretly or openly , it also speaks to those who apparently do not believe that marriage is divine law. In fact, it is. Certain technical particulars belong to canonical law, but the indissolubility of a genuine heterosexual marriage, entered into with full consent, knowledge, and upright intention to fulfill one’s responsibilities to one’s spouse, and without hidden or deceitful impediments, is not “a canonical matter” that can be dispensed with arbitrarily by any human person, but rather an institution of God Himself. Every Catholic should understand this and be able to defend this explicitly, or there was something lacking in his or her catechesis.

Thank you for this important point. **Divine law **as in “Whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

 

[Mark121359]

Divine law?..with today’s Catholic? Reading responses on various thread topics here, one would think it’s more like “divine opinions.” Sometimes I can actually detect my jaw drop reading some of the outlandish responses I’ve witnessed “Catholics” post on here. :bigyikes:

Peace, Mark

 

[Dick_t]

Jesus didn’t turn the woman of Samaria away, but showed caring and kindness to
her because she spoke honestly. He knew the truth and introduced himself to her
The only ones that reflected poorly were His Deciples. That seems like an absolving moment to me. Perhaps the Romans that attend the Episcopal Church would be more comfortable in their Roman Church If they needed only to be absolved of the error, through
Confession, of their poor wedding choice. Driveing folks from the church involves not just the adult, but the off spring of that person.
Just a thought.

 

[ProVobis]

Jesus didn’t turn the woman of Samaria away, but showed caring and kindness to
her because she spoke honestly. He knew the truth and introduced himself to her
The only ones that reflected poorly were His Deciples. That seems like an absolving moment to me. Perhaps the Romans that attend the Episcopal Church would be more comfortable in their Roman Church If they needed only to be absolved of the error, through
Confession, of their poor wedding choice. Driveing folks from the church involves not just the adult, but the off spring of that person.
Just a thought.

Who’s talking about driving folks from the church, especially where the offspring are concerned? Certainly the offspring aren’t responsible for the situation and they are perfectly eligible to attend schools, obtain the graces from the sacraments, Mass, etc.

 

[InFlux]

What about the possibility that some annulments have been granted illicitly; i.e. a valid marriage was declared invalid. If one or both partners of that annulment process then remarries, would there be grounds for annulment based upon the invalidity of the original annulment process?

 

[Tomdstone]

What about the possibility that some annulments have been granted illicitly; i.e. a valid marriage was declared invalid. If one or both partners of that annulment process then remarries, would there be grounds for annulment based upon the invalidity of the original annulment process?

My personal opinion is that the marriage annulment process has been abused. It is difficult for me to accept it as credible and this is one reason why I did not declare myself as Catholic here, although I am a Catholic otherwise. A couple is married for 20 years, has several children and there is no question about the validity of the marriage up to this point. Then, the wife starts having a secret affair with someone and all of a sudden questions are raised about whether or not her consent to the marriage given 20 years ago was defective or not. And so a Church tribunal declares that there never had been a sacramental marriage in the first place. This is a real insult to the husband who has done his best to live a solid Catholic life and now the Roman Catholic Church tells him that he was living with a woman for 20 years without the benefit of a sacramental marriage. That’s not what the priest said at the time of the marriage ceremony. He said - that the couple was married for better or for worse and in front of the Holy Crucifix and the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist the priest declared in the presence of everyone present there that the couple was now man and wife. But now 20 years later, after the wife has a secret affair on the side, the Roman Catholic Church tribunal tells the husband that, sorry, you really were not married at all, sacramentally. Your marriage ceremony and solemn vows taken in front of the Holy Crucifx was only a charade.

 

[ProVobis]

What about the possibility that some annulments have been granted illicitly; i.e. a valid marriage was declared invalid. If one or both partners of that annulment process then remarries, would there be grounds for annulment based upon the invalidity of the original annulment process?

Seems like this is more of a philosophical question. It’s possible that all marriages are valid from an outsider’s standpoint but the state of mind is what’s at issue here. It may be true that some annulments are somewhat hastily done but this isn’t for the ordinary observer to judge. There are many who chose not to seek annulments for whatever reason as well; the fact that one or both have chosen this path to remedy the situation even if it’s denied shows that at least they are willing to work with the Church. There may be a lot wrong in their spiritual and personal lives but they don’t want to be excluded from the Church altogether. That in itself is not a bad thing.

 

[Dick_t]

Who’s talking about driving folks from the church, especially where the offspring are concerned? Certainly the offspring aren’t responsible for the situation and they are perfectly eligible to attend schools, obtain the graces from the sacraments, Mass, etc.

A fair point, ProVobis, but your assuming that people respond in a manor that dosn’t reflect on their children. Many stop going to church because they feel uncomfortable
due to the reflection of certain other members of their congragation. Or possibly an
older peer that has said something negative to them. When a parent stops going to
church, the children then stop. In my life here in Connecticut, many people are divorced,
or are children of marriages of two people of different Faiths. Their marriages may have been that also. And at an age when they want to come back to God and Jesus. They are not comfortable in their Roman background because of this attitude so they join an
Evangelical Church, or another organized religion just to feel comfortable exposing their
children to God without fear of retribution from some thoughtless person.Our Episcopal
Church has many former Romans in the congragation for just these reasons.

 

[Oren]

What is the statistic, only 338 annulments were granted in America in 1968, recently, the annual figure is around sixty thousand. I’m sure before 68 the number granted was even less. I heard at around 1930 only around 90 were granted WORLDWIDE in a year. What a joke.

 

[Vico]

My personal opinion is that the marriage annulment process has been abused. It is difficult for me to accept it as credible and this is one reason why I did not declare myself as Catholic here, although I am a Catholic otherwise. A couple is married for 20 years, has several children and there is no question about the validity of the marriage up to this point. Then, the wife starts having a secret affair with someone and all of a sudden questions are raised about whether or not her consent to the marriage given 20 years ago was defective or not. And so a Church tribunal declares that there never had been a sacramental marriage in the first place. This is a real insult to the husband who has done his best to live a solid Catholic life and now the Roman Catholic Church tells him that he was living with a woman for 20 years without the benefit of a sacramental marriage. That’s not what the priest said at the time of the marriage ceremony. He said - that the couple was married for better or for worse and in front of the Holy Crucifix and the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist the priest declared in the presence of everyone present there that the couple was now man and wife. But now 20 years later, after the wife has a secret affair on the side, the Roman Catholic Church tribunal tells the husband that, sorry, you really were not married at all, sacramentally. Your marriage ceremony and solemn vows taken in front of the Holy Crucifx was only a charade.

The Church does not state that the marriage is absolutely valid, rather it is presumed to be valid. Since it is formed through the consent of the couple with approval of the Church, there can be an invalidating condition present that is not discovered.

 

[InFlux]

What is the statistic, only 338 annulments were granted in America in 1968, recently, the annual figure is around sixty thousand. I’m sure before 68 the number granted was even less. I heard at around 1930 only around 90 were granted WORLDWIDE in a year. What a joke.

My personal opinion is that the marriage annulment process has been abused. It is difficult for me to accept it as credible and this is one reason why I did not declare myself as Catholic here, although I am a Catholic otherwise. A couple is married for 20 years, has several children and there is no question about the validity of the marriage up to this point. Then, the wife starts having a secret affair with someone and all of a sudden questions are raised about whether or not her consent to the marriage given 20 years ago was defective or not. And so a Church tribunal declares that there never had been a sacramental marriage in the first place. This is a real insult to the husband who has done his best to live a solid Catholic life and now the Roman Catholic Church tells him that he was living with a woman for 20 years without the benefit of a sacramental marriage. That’s not what the priest said at the time of the marriage ceremony. He said - that the couple was married for better or for worse and in front of the Holy Crucifix and the Holy Sacrament of Eucharist the priest declared in the presence of everyone present there that the couple was now man and wife. But now 20 years later, after the wife has a secret affair on the side, the Roman Catholic Church tribunal tells the husband that, sorry, you really were not married at all, sacramentally. Your marriage ceremony and solemn vows taken in front of the Holy Crucifx was only a charade.

I think Oren means the 60,000 in America is a joke, not the 90 worldwide? To which i would agree. And agree with Tomdstone´s assessment as well.

And secretly or openly , it also speaks to those who apparently do not believe that marriage is divine law. In fact, it is. Certain technical particulars belong to canonical law, but the indissolubility of a genuine heterosexual marriage, entered into with full consent, knowledge, and upright intention to fulfill one’s responsibilities to one’s spouse, and without hidden or deceitful impediments, is not “a canonical matter” that can be dispensed with arbitrarily by any human person, but rather an institution of God Himself. Every Catholic should understand this and be able to defend this explicitly, or there was something lacking in his or her catechesis.

Yes, marriage is Divine Law, not Church Law. (Adam and Eve were truly married, with neither civil nor ecclesial sanctions.) And if this humble Pope wants to further ‘open up’ a process that is already far past the bounds of Divine Law, then one has to contemplate the terrifying possibility that the heirarchical Church has lost her way and is abandoning her Spouse. No annulment process for such a divorce.

 

[Just_Lurking]

What is the statistic, only 338 annulments were granted in America in 1968, recently, the annual figure is around sixty thousand. I’m sure before 68 the number granted was even less. I heard at around 1930 only around 90 were granted WORLDWIDE in a year. What a joke.

Prior to 1970, the Catholic Church would withhold decrees of nullity for many invalid marriages in a effort to “punish” the guilty spouse.

 

[Tomdstone]

The Church does not state that the marriage is absolutely valid, rather it is presumed to be valid. Since it is formed through the consent of the couple with approval of the Church, there can be an invalidating condition present that is not discovered.

But 94% or more of all marriages tested before the USA Catholic marriage tribunal are declared invalid. If so, how many Catholics out there are actually married according to Catholic teaching? This contrasts rather sharply with the Orthodox Church, where there are only a very few invalid marriages according to their Church. Isn’t it better to be sure and to be married in a Church where you know that you are really sacramentally married and not just living in a formal adulterous relationship with someone who is not your sacramental marriage partner?

 

[Corki]

But 94% or more of all marriages tested before the USA Catholic marriage tribunal are declared invalid. If so, how many Catholics out there are actually married according to Catholic teaching? This contrasts rather sharply with the Orthodox Church, where there are only a very few invalid marriages according to their Church. Isn’t it better to be sure and to be married in a Church where you know that you are really sacramentally married and not just living in a formal adulterous relationship with someone who is not your sacramental marriage partner?

That 94% statistic is misleading. Requests for annulment go through parish advocates and pastors first long before they get to the tribunal. Only cases with a good chance of succeeding are completed and presented to the tribunal. Many more are turned away at the parish level or never completed.

 

[Vico]

But 94% or more of all marriages tested before the USA Catholic marriage tribunal are declared invalid. If so, how many Catholics out there are actually married according to Catholic teaching? This contrasts rather sharply with the Orthodox Church, where there are only a very few invalid marriages according to their Church. Isn’t it better to be sure and to be married in a Church where you know that you are really sacramentally married and not just living in a formal adulterous relationship with someone who is not your sacramental marriage partner?

Unless it is revealed to you supernaturally that the marriage is not flawed, they how can you know with absolute certainty that it is not? This applies to Catholic or Orthodox. It is due diligence that requires a Catholic to be married with the approval of the Catholic Church, and then it is presumed valid. Also marriages between one Catholic and one not baptized is also a form of Catholic marriage which is not a sacrament. The marriages should always be with Church approval.

 

[Tomdstone]

Unless it is revealed to you supernaturally that the marriage is not flawed, they how can you know with absolute certainty that it is not? .

That is the problem. In Catholicism, you never really know if later on the Catholic Church will declare that you have been living together without the benefit of a sacramental marriage. This is a big difference with the Orthodox Church, where you know for sure that you are sacramentally married. In Catholicism, 94% of all marriages in the USA are declared invalid by the Catholic Church, once they reach the Church tribunal’s judgement.

 

[Vico]

That is the problem. In Catholicism, you never really know if later on the Catholic Church will declare that you have been living together without the benefit of a sacramental marriage. This is a big difference with the Orthodox Church, where you know for sure that you are sacramentally married. In Catholicism, 94% of all marriages in the USA are declared invalid by the Catholic Church, once they reach the Church tribunal’s judgement.

There is a valid form of celebration of marriage in the Catholic Church just as there is such in Orthodoxy, and also there are invalidating impediments in both.

Eastern Orthodox canons recognize when a marriage is invalid (it never occured), by impediments that would prevent a lawful marriage such as:

• lack of free will
• consanguinity
• existence of a previous union not terminated by lawful divorce
• inability to consummate the union
• if both involved are not Orthodox
• deposed priest
• married and divorced before being received into the Church

Some Orthodox churches have annulments also.