Divorce (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Notes
Divorce in Catholic Christianity
Introduction to divorce
Divorce refers to the legal ending of a marriage. Within Catholic Christianity, there is a fundamental belief in the sanctity and permanence of marriage, which shapes the Church's stance on divorce. Catholics do not accept divorce as a valid option, viewing marriage as a lifelong commitment that cannot be broken.
The Catholic Church's position on divorce is one of the most distinctive aspects of Catholic teaching, setting it apart from many other Christian denominations and secular viewpoints.
Catholic beliefs about marriage
Catholics hold that marriage is a precious gift from God and represents a lifelong bond between two people. The symbolism of wedding rings reflects this belief - they form an unbroken circle, representing the eternal nature of the marriage commitment. This understanding forms the foundation for Catholic teachings about divorce.
For Catholics, marriage is not merely a legal contract or social arrangement, but a sacred covenant that reflects God's permanent love for humanity.
Scriptural teachings on divorce
The Catholic position on divorce is strongly rooted in Biblical teaching. Jesus spoke directly about this issue, providing clear guidance that forms the basis of Church doctrine:
Mark 10:11-12: "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."
This passage demonstrates Jesus's view that divorce followed by remarriage constitutes adultery. Additionally, Jesus reinforced the permanence of marriage with these words:
Mark 10:9: "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."
These scriptural foundations emphasise that marriage creates a bond that should not be broken by human decision.
These passages from Mark's Gospel are foundational to Catholic teaching and are frequently cited in Church documents about marriage and divorce.
Official Catholic Church teachings
The Catholic Church has four key teachings regarding divorce:
1. Marriage is for life - The Catholic Church does not recognise divorce because it believes marriage creates a permanent bond that lasts until death.
2. Marriage is a sacrament - Since marriage is considered one of the seven sacraments, divorce would break the sacred promises made before God, which Catholics believe is spiritually harmful.
3. Jesus spoke against divorce - Following Christ's teachings, the Church maintains that marriage creates "one flesh" - a unity that cannot be dissolved.
4. Remarriage restrictions - Because Catholics believe marriage lasts for life, someone who divorces and wishes to remarry would not be permitted to have a Catholic Church ceremony. The Church would view this as a form of adultery.
Official Church doctrine
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides additional guidance on this matter:
CCC 2382: "a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death."
CCC 2384: "Divorce is a grave offence against the natural law."
CCC 2385: "Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society."
These teachings reinforce that the Catholic Church views divorce as fundamentally wrong and harmful to both families and society.
The Catechism represents the official teaching authority of the Catholic Church, making these statements binding doctrine for all Catholics worldwide.
Annulment as an alternative
While Catholics cannot obtain divorces, there is a process called annulment available in special circumstances. An annulment (also known as a Decree of Nullity) declares that a valid marriage never actually existed in the first place. The Church has strict guidelines for granting annulments, and acceptable reasons might include:
- One partner concealing important information, such as a previous marriage
- Either party lacking the ability to have children
- One or both partners not properly understanding what marriage commitment involves
This process recognises that sometimes what appeared to be a marriage was not actually valid according to Catholic teaching.
Practical Example: Annulment Process
Consider a situation where a couple married, but one partner had concealed a previous marriage that was never properly annulled. In this case:
Step 1: The couple approaches the Church tribunal Step 2: Evidence is presented showing the concealment Step 3: The tribunal determines the second marriage was invalid from the beginning Step 4: An annulment is granted, declaring no valid marriage existed
This differs from divorce because it states the marriage was never valid, rather than ending a valid marriage.
Other Christian perspectives
Not all Christian denominations share the Catholic position on divorce. Protestant churches and other Christian traditions often acknowledge that marriage represents a lifelong relationship, but many accept that marriages can sometimes fail. These churches may permit divorce in certain circumstances, recognising it might be the only way to prevent continued suffering for all family members, including children trapped in unhappy family situations.
The differences between Catholic and Protestant approaches to divorce stem from different interpretations of Scripture and varying understandings of Church authority in moral matters.
Non-religious attitudes
People who do not follow religious teachings often have different views about marriage and divorce. They may understand that marriage breakdown can create problems within families, but they typically accept that divorce is sometimes necessary. Non-religious people don't usually connect marriage to spiritual promises or divine commands, so they may not feel that religious restrictions on divorce apply to them. Most non-religious perspectives accept remarriage without concern.
Catholic response to other views
When faced with different attitudes towards divorce, Catholics maintain their position by emphasising that marriage provides the best environment for raising children in a stable society. While Catholics might suggest separation in cases of serious problems, they would not recognise divorce as a valid solution to marital difficulties.
Catholics distinguish between separation (living apart while remaining married) and divorce (legally ending the marriage). Separation is acceptable in cases of abuse or serious conflict, but the marriage bond remains intact.
Key Points to Remember:
- Catholics believe marriage is a lifelong sacrament that cannot be ended by divorce
- Jesus's teachings in Mark's Gospel form the scriptural basis for opposing divorce
- The Catholic Church may grant annulments in special cases where a valid marriage never existed
- Other Christians and non-religious people often have more accepting attitudes towards divorce
- Catholics maintain their position by emphasising the importance of stable family environments