The 40 Questions Most Frequently Asked
About The Catholic Church
By Non-Catholics

31. Never Divorce!

Your Church makes no exceptions when it comes to divorce. How then do you explain the exception Christ Himself permitted in the case of adultery in St. Matthew 19:9?

The text St. Matthew 19:9 reads as follows:

"But I say to you, 'That whosoever shall put away his wife, except for immorality, and marries another commits adultery'." St. Matt. 19:9 (cf. St. Matt. 5:32)
Jewish law at the time of our Lord did not permit absolute divorce. It did, however, permit separation for the cause of adultery. However, another school of teachers among the Rabbis taught that even this was not cause for separation, or "limited divorce."

Christ is settling this dispute by permitting separation for the cause of adultery, but does not allow remarriage in such a case. The text would read as follows:

"But I say to you, 'That whosoever shall put away his wife -- and this separation is not permitted except for the cause of fornication -- makes her to commit adultery'."
The Law of God expressed by Christ is clear and definite in the New Testament, and since it is the word of God, neither the Church nor anyone else is at liberty to change this law. What is the law?
"And He said to them, 'Whosoever puts away his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her, and if the wife puts away her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." St. Mark 10:11,12
Sometimes separation is permitted for a good reason. In such cases the Bishop may permit divorce also if this is necessary to secure legal protection for the innocent party and the children. However, this is always with the understanding that no second marriage can be considered valid after this separation.
"But to those who are married, not I, but the Lord, commands that the wife is not to depart from her husband, and if she departs, that she is to remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And let not a husband put away his wife." 1 Cor. 7:10, 11


The 40 Questions Most Frequently Asked ...
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