Torn over divorce

  • Thread starter Thread starter CosmoRose
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CosmoRose

Guest
I am 25 years old, married for4 and a half years and almost7 months pregnant. my husband and i have gone through periods of problems in our marriage, but recently things have escalated to a point where i am not sure if i can go on being married to him. most of our problems center around his relationship with his mother, for lack of a better term, he is a sterotypical mama’s boy and she is the epitome of a “mother in law”. i cant recall a time 'when my feelings or wants have been placed above hers and i cant even begin to count the number of times she has belittled me or made me feel worthless or inadequate in front of him, and he has done nothing to support me. he had become increasingly cold and distant, clinging ever more to her. on several occasions, with increasing frequency i have temporarily moved back to my parents house because i couldnt handle being around him. gradually, the lack of concern for my feelings grew into controlling behavior (dictating what i should wear, telling me i needed to find a new psychologist (she was turning me against him),pressuring me to be intimate when he would do something nice for me, checking my emails, phone etc). eventually these stressors began to build up and i started to feel very very depressed. we tried marriage counseling with our priest, but eventually he stopped going, though i continued to talk to the priest regularly.

one night this past summer, he made me feel so awful with his hurtful words and he ran off to hang out with friends leaving me alone. iwas so depressed that i cut my arms very badly with a blade. he scoffed at my actions saying they were for attention and left for his friends. i called my mother when i realized what i did and she rushed over. we went to speak with the priest, and later with my doctor, and i made the decision to voluntarily admit myself to a behavioral hospital to get treatment.

while at the hospital my husband showed little support. he called and said i wasnt trying hard enough and demamded to know where i saw myself in 6 months. when he came to visit, he was cold, distant and spiteful. he admitted he acted this way because his mother had told him to do so. upon being released, i agreed to a family meeting with him, where he only belittled me and made me cry in front of the social worker. when i was released i stayed with my mom for several weeks. i was not ready to go home, but my mood was much better when i was at her house and away from him.

a few weeks later, i suspected i was pregnant and when i told him he said it was a ploy so i wouldnt leavehim. he made a comment that we could part ways andhe would cut me a check for half of our assets. i was shocked. he then spent the night at his friends house, got drunkand passed out. the next morning i took a test and confirmed the pregnancy. he wasnot excited at all.

he later demanded that we see a marriage counselor even though i was advised by my doctors to work on me first. the counselor refused to work with us because of his attitude. he waited a long time to tell his parents about the pregnancy and told me to tell his mom that we were telling her first, before my parents. this was the only time in our relationship she showed any concern for me… i was appalled. my husband began to insist i be a stay at home mom, which i would love to do… but as the pregnancy progressed thingsgot worse.

the hormones have mademy depression worse… he has become increasingly cold and spiteful. he stopped doing any work around the house (baby’sroom, roof, installing railings onan old unsafe staircase), refused to takeout garbage or clean litter boxes ( A nono for pregnant women). he has taken all of my pay checks and my parents have had to buy maternity clothes and baby items for me.
worst of all he began to accuse me of being unfit and has told me and mutual friends that he will fight with everything he has to get thebaby away from me. he says will support the child but not me.

when i finally went to part time at work (for medical reasons) he became even more emotionally and verbally abusive. mymom had t o take me to a hospital for a panic attack and abdominal cramping. i had to have an ultrasound to check the baby, and thankfully itwas ok. he showed no concern whatsoever. a few weeks later, he accidentally sent me a text messgae meant for someone else saying he was leaving. i suspect it is for another woman. since then he has refused to see our counselor, has taken items and money from the house, moved to his mom’s, and shut off my utilities. myparents are paying my bills (my half of the mortgage, car, groceries, etc) and i am forced to work full time against drs orders. i am on my dads health insurance, which i will lose if they find out how much i am working. i feel like this unborn child has been abandoned and am appalled that he thinks he is acting like a good man and father. i have contacted an attorney to get spousal support from him, and am now at the point wherei need to decideto sign the papers to file for divorce.

i feel being away from him is in the best interes tfor m mental health (which is amazingly stable with him out of the picture) andfor the well being of my child. is it wrong to get divorced when you are in an abusive marriage? If we did divorce i would fight for sole custody…i feel ive been on my own this whole pregnancy. At this point, i just want whats best for my unborn child? my father and brother are both great male role models, but the idea of a broken family is heartbreaking. my parents are able to help me and are more than willing. i just feel so torn. we were married in the church, i was raised irish catholic and my heart is breaking! ADVICE PLEASE
 
Have you sought legal advice?
If you can’t afford legal assistance please ask your family to help you.
You need to be able to find out the legal facts of your position rather than listen to your husband’s abusive ravings and threats and blackmail.
You need to know where you actually stand, and as soon as possible.
You need at least that certainty.
Uncertainty is harmful for you and the baby.

I’m sad for your situation.
 
Please leave immediatly. Move in with your parents. I beleive the court would grant you custody and he may even get supervised visits, if you bring the records from your counselors. As fast as you can, get out!

I hope his behavior is on the record, and by all means, dont delete that text! There is help for you you.

You will be much better off in the long run.

I dont say this lightly. I do believe people should work together on problems. But this man is abusing you, and likes it. He is threatening to keep you and your baby apart, which is chikd abuse. (in my opinion)

I wish you the best.
 
You ask regarding your choices, and the Church’s position:

"As pastors of the Catholic Church in the United States, we state as clearly and strongly as we can that violence against women, inside or outside the home, is never justified. Violence in any form—physical, sexual, psychological, or verbal—is sinful; often, it is a crime as well.”

—U.S. Catholic Bishops,

"The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement entitled, “When I Call For Help: A Pastoral Response To Domestic Violence Against Women” that addresses this issue and offers answers to the questions surrounding abusive marriages. In the introduction to the document it states:
Code:
The Catholic Church teaches that violence against another person in any form fails to treat that person as someone worthy of love. Instead, it treats the person as an object to be used. When violence occurs within a sacramental marriage, the abused spouse may question, “How do these violent acts relate to my promise to take my spouse for better or for worse?” The person being assaulted needs to know that acting to end the abuse does not violate the marriage promises. While violence can be directed towards men, it tends to harm women and children more.
It further states:
Code:
Finally, we emphasize that no person is expected to stay in an abusive marriage. Some abused women believe that church teaching on the permanence of marriage requires them to stay in an abusive relationship. They may hesitate to seek a separation or divorce. They may fear that they cannot re-marry in the Church. Violence and abuse, not divorce, break up a marriage. We encourage abused persons who have divorced to investigate the possibility of seeking an annulment. An annulment, which determines that the marriage bond is not valid, can frequently open the door to healing. "
catholicmatch.com/blog/2012/08/abusive-marriages-and-divorce-what-does-the-church-say/

usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/domestic-violence/when-i-call-for-help.cfm
 
Have you sought legal advice?
If you can’t afford legal assistance please ask your family to help you.
You need to be able to find out the legal facts of your position rather than listen to your husband’s abusive ravings and threats and blackmail.
You need to know where you actually stand, and as soon as possible.
You need at least that certainty.
Uncertainty is harmful for you and the baby.

I’m sad for your situation.
What Francie said. He is abusive, and you are NOT required, by the Church or anyone else, to suffer like this. Talk to a lawyer asap.

:gopray:
 
is it wrong to get divorced when you are in an abusive marriage? If we did divorce i would fight for sole custody…i feel ive been on my own this whole pregnancy. At this point, i just want whats best for my unborn child? my father and brother are both great male role models, but the idea of a broken family is heartbreaking. my parents are able to help me and are more than willing. i just feel so torn. we were married in the church, i was raised irish catholic and my heart is breaking! ADVICE PLEASE
You have my prayers.

No, it is not wrong to separate and divorce when your marriage is abusive. You do need legal help because of the baby, so please seek a lawyer as soon as possible. From what you describe, your husband has really never become your husband and has not separated from his mother. Take care of yourself and your child by keeping strict boundaries around contact with your husband. Be careful. Do not see him without a male relative present.
 
Thank you all for the advice and the supportive comments. I have contacted an attorney and am going with my mother on wednesday to file the paperwork. Unfortunately in my state you can not get divorced while pregnant. however i can file the petition for spousal support. i have not had any contact with him other than a text message saying he wantedto come get more things from the house. i told him he could not come without a police escort. thepolice were very supportive and helpful, and i do have the records from them, as well as doctors written testimonies and medical records, and text message between him and myself, andhim an my brother. thankfully my older brother is living with me during the holidays, which will be enough time for the restraining order to get set.

what i find ironic is that i specifically recall that a reading from Genesis was read at our wedding, not sure of the exact verse, but it was basically saying that a man marries and leaves his mother and father andclings to his wife. obviously this never occured in our marriage. i find it hard to believe that if i never came first, that the baby ever would…

thank you all again and God Bless!
 
Thank you… i will be contacting catholitc charities tomorrow. its unfortunate that its the holidays and business hours are so erratic… im just hoping and praying that 2013 will be a better year… God Bless
 
Maybe it will give you time to collect your thoughts…At this time anything can be looked as a blessing or a gift. It is all just a matter of perspective.
 
I feel so sad for you.
I too have been through an abusive marriage. You have been abused emotionally and it cuts deep when they see you are vulnerable and use that against you too, instead of loving you and giving you support.
Like someone else said, he has never been your husband. He does not seem to know what marriage is about at all.
It sounds like you have a wonderful family. You will need them right now. God will look after you. I would get out and never go back.
I will remember you in my prayers.

God bless you and your little baby.
 
CosmpRose: I know things look very bleak right now but honestly, everything will fall into place and life will be wonderful again. Do not be intimidated by his big talk because that’s all it is. He is trying to control you still eventhough it sounds like he has another woman somewhere. And let her have him. LOL!

This person you married is a bully and not even close to being what a husband should be. If he can’t be a good husband I find it difficult to think he would be a good father. He is robbing you also of this time in your life when you should have a loving, caring husband. One that is excited to be having a baby and loving towards you. Put him out like an old bag of trash so you and the baby will have a peaceful life.

I too left an abusive “marriage” and once I left my son and I have had a wonderful life. Peaceful, happy and joyous. It is NOT difficult to raise a child on your own especially when the family is supportive.

However, it is nearly impossible to try to raise one with an abusive brute in the house. Stand firm and continue to make a new life for you and the baby.
 
I am so sorry for what you are going through. I had to leave my second marriage (married in the Church) because my husband had become increasingly emotionally abusive once we were married. I had begun to lose myself, and even my relationship with God and I was concerned of harm to my child from living in an abusive environment.

It is heart-breaking to have to walk away from a marriage, and of course I entered into marriage thinking it was going to be a wonderful, sacramental marriage of mutual respect. Divorce is tragic, but sometimes it is necessary to protect ourselves and our children.

I only left a few months ago, and it is very hard at times, but it is good to know that my child and I are safe, and it is good to not be scared anymore of what I will do “wrong” that will cause me to be berated or insulted.

Hang onto hope for the future, cling to Christ, and know that God loves you very, very much.
 
Hello CosmoRose,

I am very sorry that your family is going through this. I pray for your desire to imitate Christ through this very difficult time.

If we gravely sin then we separate ourselves from our Heavenly Spouse. So too when our earthly spouse is in the midst of grave sin making living together dangerous. Our Church holds this truth up and allows for separation if this occurs. We are to seek permission from our Bishop for permission to separate (see canon law). If there is danger in delay then we may separate and within six months of the separation seek permission from the bishop.

A civil divorce can be tolerated if it remains the “only possible way” of providing needed civil protections. Perhaps in your state a legal separation alternative exists that provides the needed protections and thereby makes civil divorce a “moral offense” because it is not the “only possible way.”

But even with all of this we are to love our spouse as Christ loves the Church. This does not change after a rough time period. This does not change after a civil divorce. We are to still recognize our spouse deserving of our love. Again, out of love for their soul we may need to seek a separation, but this is out of love for the other and not our self.

We hope that our Lord’s forgiveness of us is open to reconciliation upon our true repentance.

We therefore need to be ready to forgive our spouse with a forgiveness that is open to reconciliation upon his/her true repentance. If we seek to imitate Christ then we will love and forgive like Him, for He is living in us and will love and forgive through us.

We should expect our prayer, “Forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me…” to be answered.

This is a very difficult teaching. The disciples reacted to our Blessed Lord, “If this be so then it is better not to marry!”

An absolutely amazing book is The Gift of Self. You can find it on Mary’s Advocates for $8. I have no interest in referring it other than the interest of making Saints!

Your family is in my prayers.

Bryan

LOVE SO AMAZING
 
Hello CosmoRose,

I am very sorry that your family is going through this. I pray for your desire to imitate Christ through this very difficult time.

If we gravely sin then we separate ourselves from our Heavenly Spouse. So too when our earthly spouse is in the midst of grave sin making living together dangerous. Our Church holds this truth up and allows for separation if this occurs. We are to seek permission from our Bishop for permission to separate (see canon law). If there is danger in delay then we may separate and within six months of the separation seek permission from the bishop.

A civil divorce can be tolerated if it remains the “only possible way” of providing needed civil protections. Perhaps in your state a legal separation alternative exists that provides the needed protections and thereby makes civil divorce a “moral offense” because it is not the “only possible way.”

But even with all of this we are to love our spouse as Christ loves the Church. This does not change after a rough time period. This does not change after a civil divorce. We are to still recognize our spouse deserving of our love. Again, out of love for their soul we may need to seek a separation, but this is out of love for the other and not our self.

We hope that our Lord’s forgiveness of us is open to reconciliation upon our true repentance.

We therefore need to be ready to forgive our spouse with a forgiveness that is open to reconciliation upon his/her true repentance. If we seek to imitate Christ then we will love and forgive like Him, for He is living in us and will love and forgive through us.

We should expect our prayer, “Forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me…” to be answered.

This is a very difficult teaching. The disciples reacted to our Blessed Lord, “If this be so then it is better not to marry!”

An absolutely amazing book is The Gift of Self. You can find it on Mary’s Advocates for $8. I have no interest in referring it other than the interest of making Saints!

Your family is in my prayers.

Bryan

LOVE SO AMAZING
Please read what the Bishop’s have stated instead of doing your own interpretation of a situation. When it comes down to taking the word of the Bishop’s or the word of an independent apostolate - I personally will take the word of the Bishops. This man left a seven month pregnant woman with no utilities and no health insurance with which to take care of his child. Yes, she can forgive, but forgiveness happens in the heart not with by giving an abusive spouse a chance to do it again.
 
Hello Joanofarc,
Let’s say that 4 years from now this man repents of whatever grave sin he is committing. He “comes to his senses” as the prodigal son did.

Will Christ’s forgiveness of him include an openness to reconciliation? Of course.

If she desires to imitate Christ will her forgiveness be open to reconciliation upon his true repentance? Yes.

We have watered down Christ’s wine of forgiveness. We now believe that we have “forgiven” if we are no longer “feeling bitter.” Forgiveness has become about the “self” rather than the “other.”

How is this Christ-like?

When does Christ say, “I forgive you but I have moved on and will not allow a restoration of our relationship. But I forgive you! For I am no longer angry with you! Oh, and I feel so much better.”

If we cannot imagine Christ doing this to us, why would we encourage others to do it to their spouses? Are we not to love our spouse as Christ loves us? Will we not be forgiven just as we forgive others?

Those who are advising this woman to civilly divorce and seek an annulment and “move on”… tell us when Christ does that to us? When does He close the door to reconciliation upon true repentance?

Our Catechism could not more plainly state that a civil divorce can only be tolerated when it remains "the only possible way"of providing the needed civil protections. Perhaps CosmoRose has a valid reason for separation. She should seek permission from her bishop.

But does this mean that a civil divorce can be “tolerated?” Not if her state is one of the vast majority that has a legal separation alternative that addresses the civil effects.

This is hugely important because when you are civilly divorced you start to get tempted to use words like “ex-wife” and “former-spouse.” You start to get tempted to believe that you are no longer married. You start to claim that the marriage is over. Then you have fallen into the grave sin of divorce.

Millions of Canadians have chosen to believe their bishops’ Winnipeg Statement. It doesn’t make their acceptance of contraception right.

Bryan
LOVE SO AMAZING
 
Because a decree of nullity simply means that the marriage was never valid. Why would you continue to have someone reconcile to a Sacrament that was never valid? If it is found valid than all divorce is then is legal separation in the eyes of the Church and one certainly will have the opportunities you speak of in the rare instance that an abuser changes.This is the error in your theology - notice I say your theology because it is not the Church’s teaching - and the Church does speak for God.

All that being said I think sending an pregnant abused woman back to an abusive man over the internet is a sin unto itself.
 
*2383 The separation of spouses while maintaining the marriage bond can be legitimate in certain cases provided for by canon law. 177

If civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of the children, or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense.*

Joanofarc and horselvr,
When does our Catechism say that a civil divorce may be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense?
Let’s take the rare case when a separation is “legitimate” and needed because it is gravely dangerous for a spouse or children to remain with an abusing spouse.
If
“legal separation” provides the same protections as civil divorce
then
Is civil divorce “the only possible way?”

If we can see that it would not be “the only possible way” then does our Catechism say it can be tolerated?

Joanofarc, I am not sure if you are doing this on purpose or not. I hope not. I have NEVER said that a spouse who is being gravely abused should go back to the grave abuser.

Christ doesn’t accept back one who continues to gravely abuse Him.

He does, however, ALWAYS accept back the one confesses and sincerely repents of the grave abuse. I just believe we should imitate Him. Do you?

Also, if the marriage is a Sacrament then it is valid. There is no such thing as a Sacramental invalid marriage.

Bryan
LOVE SO AMAZING
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top