<\/p>\n
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?<\/span><\/h1>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
What is the Purpose of Marriage?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Before understanding biblical teaching on divorce, we need to understand what marriage is: an\u00a0unconditional gift of self<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/A-tense-conversation-between-husband-and-wife-at-the-table.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Bible and the Church teach that divorce is not the answer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\"Marriage\u2026transcends<\/b>\u00a0the<\/strong>\u00a0feelings<\/b> and momentary needs of the couple\u2026it is not born \u2018of loving sentiment, ephemeral by definition, but from the depth of the obligation assumed by the spouses who accept to enter a total communion of life\u2019.\" (Pope Francis, 66)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nJust as the family is \u201cthe fundamental cell of society\u201d (Pope Francis, 66)<\/a>, \u201c[t]he family is based upon a marriage\u201d. (Pope St. John XXIII, 193)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does the Bible Say About Divorce?<\/span><\/h2>\n
While Moses allowed divorce - due to hardness of our hearts (Matthew 19:8) that didn\u2019t mean God was fine with it! \"I hate divorce, says the Lord<\/strong>\". (Malachi 2:16). <\/span><\/p>\nAs Jesus made clear, \"a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife...So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate<\/strong>.\" (Matthew 19:4-6)<\/span><\/p>\nThe bottom, hard line remains: \u201cI say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.\u201d (Matthew 19:9)<\/span><\/p>\nThis was reiterated by Saint Paul: \"A wife should not separate from her husband \u2013<\/span> and a husband should not divorce his wife.\" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Teaching Say About Divorce?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cMarriage based on exclusive and definitive love\u00a0becomes the\u00a0icon\u00a0of the relationship between\u00a0God and his people\u00a0and vice versa.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTherefore, \"it is hardly possible to describe how great are the evils that flow from divorce.\" (Pope Leo XIII, 29)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Divorce is an evil<\/strong> and the increasing number of divorces is very troubling.\" (Pope Francis, 246)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that, \"Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law.\" (CCC, 2384-85)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nHOWEVER<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Church does not abandon the divorced<\/strong>. On the contrary, she seeks them out, calling \"upon pastors and the whole community of the faithful to help the divorced, and with solicitous care to make sure that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 84)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Effect of Divorce on Children<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"Divorce is immoral<\/strong> also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society.\" (CCC, 2384-85)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThere is countless evidence of the benefits of married parents raising children and the difficulties and tragedies that arise when children grow up with divorced parents<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe Church, while appreciating the situations of conflict that are part of marriage, cannot fail to speak out on behalf of those who are most vulnerable: the children who often suffer in silence.\u201d (Pope Francis, 246)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Apart from every other consideration, <\/span>the good of children should be the primary concern<\/strong>... N<\/span>ever ever, take your child hostage! Life gave you a trial, but\u00a0your\u00a0children should not have to bear the burden of this separation\".<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 245)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nMarriage is Irreplaceable<\/span><\/h2>\n
The family is the<\/strong>\u00a0image of God<\/b>\u00a0who \u201cin his deepest\u00a0mystery\u00a0is not all by himself, but a\u00a0family, since he has in himself fatherhood, sonship and the\u00a0essence\u00a0of the\u00a0family, which is\u00a0love\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching urges that marriage be promoted as central to society\u2019s flourishing<\/strong> and warns of the consequences of legalizing divorce. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"The family\u00a0constitutes\u2026a\u00a0community of love\u00a0and solidarity, which is uniquely suited to teach and transmit cultural, ethical, social, spiritual and religious values, essential for the development and well-being of its own members and of society.\" (Preamble, E., Charter of the Rights of the Family)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cChristians\u2026should actively promote\u00a0the values\u00a0of marriage and the family, both\u00a0by the examples of their\u00a0own lives\u00a0and by cooperation with other men of good will.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 52)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Divorce Rate in the U.S.<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cThe communion of life and love which is marriage thus emerges as<\/strong>\u00a0an<\/strong>\u00a0authentic good<\/b>\u00a0for<\/strong>\u00a0society.<\/b>\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a>
<\/span><\/p>\nDespite this, the American Psychological Association (APA)<\/a> notes that the percentage of first marriages that end in divorce is 40\u201350%! This rises to 60\u201367% for second marriages and 73% for third. <\/span><\/p>\nAt the same time marriage rates have also dropped significantly. (U.S. Census Bureau)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic insights often prove prescient. This may never be clearer than reflecting on this Papal statement from 1880: \u201cSo soon as the road to divorce began to be made smooth by law, at once quarrels, jealousies, and judicial separations largely increased\u201d. (Pope Leo XIII, 30)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Family?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTop Magisterial Quotes about Family<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Marriage?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Top Marriage Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy is Family Important?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHealthy Families are the Future<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsumption and Family Life<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Family Life Today Under Attack?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTypes of Families and New Definitions<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nRediscovering the Power of Fatherhood<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Importance of Motherhood<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nLearning from the Holy Family<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAn Old Fashioned Christmas<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About the Family<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
What is the Purpose of Marriage?<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>Before understanding biblical teaching on divorce, we need to understand what marriage is: an\u00a0unconditional gift of self<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
The Bible and the Church teach that divorce is not the answer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\"Marriage\u2026transcends<\/b>\u00a0the<\/strong>\u00a0feelings<\/b> and momentary needs of the couple\u2026it is not born \u2018of loving sentiment, ephemeral by definition, but from the depth of the obligation assumed by the spouses who accept to enter a total communion of life\u2019.\" (Pope Francis, 66)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nJust as the family is \u201cthe fundamental cell of society\u201d (Pope Francis, 66)<\/a>, \u201c[t]he family is based upon a marriage\u201d. (Pope St. John XXIII, 193)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does the Bible Say About Divorce?<\/span><\/h2>\n
While Moses allowed divorce - due to hardness of our hearts (Matthew 19:8) that didn\u2019t mean God was fine with it! \"I hate divorce, says the Lord<\/strong>\". (Malachi 2:16). <\/span><\/p>\nAs Jesus made clear, \"a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife...So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate<\/strong>.\" (Matthew 19:4-6)<\/span><\/p>\nThe bottom, hard line remains: \u201cI say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.\u201d (Matthew 19:9)<\/span><\/p>\nThis was reiterated by Saint Paul: \"A wife should not separate from her husband \u2013<\/span> and a husband should not divorce his wife.\" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Teaching Say About Divorce?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cMarriage based on exclusive and definitive love\u00a0becomes the\u00a0icon\u00a0of the relationship between\u00a0God and his people\u00a0and vice versa.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTherefore, \"it is hardly possible to describe how great are the evils that flow from divorce.\" (Pope Leo XIII, 29)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\"Divorce is an evil<\/strong> and the increasing number of divorces is very troubling.\" (Pope Francis, 246)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that, \"Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law.\" (CCC, 2384-85)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nHOWEVER<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe Church does not abandon the divorced<\/strong>. On the contrary, she seeks them out, calling \"upon pastors and the whole community of the faithful to help the divorced, and with solicitous care to make sure that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 84)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe Effect of Divorce on Children<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"Divorce is immoral<\/strong> also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society.\" (CCC, 2384-85)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThere is countless evidence of the benefits of married parents raising children and the difficulties and tragedies that arise when children grow up with divorced parents<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe Church, while appreciating the situations of conflict that are part of marriage, cannot fail to speak out on behalf of those who are most vulnerable: the children who often suffer in silence.\u201d (Pope Francis, 246)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"Apart from every other consideration, <\/span>the good of children should be the primary concern<\/strong>... N<\/span>ever ever, take your child hostage! Life gave you a trial, but\u00a0your\u00a0children should not have to bear the burden of this separation\".<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 245)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\nMarriage is Irreplaceable<\/span><\/h2>\n
The family is the<\/strong>\u00a0image of God<\/b>\u00a0who \u201cin his deepest\u00a0mystery\u00a0is not all by himself, but a\u00a0family, since he has in himself fatherhood, sonship and the\u00a0essence\u00a0of the\u00a0family, which is\u00a0love\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching urges that marriage be promoted as central to society\u2019s flourishing<\/strong> and warns of the consequences of legalizing divorce. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\"The family\u00a0constitutes\u2026a\u00a0community of love\u00a0and solidarity, which is uniquely suited to teach and transmit cultural, ethical, social, spiritual and religious values, essential for the development and well-being of its own members and of society.\" (Preamble, E., Charter of the Rights of the Family)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\u201cChristians\u2026should actively promote\u00a0the values\u00a0of marriage and the family, both\u00a0by the examples of their\u00a0own lives\u00a0and by cooperation with other men of good will.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 52)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Divorce Rate in the U.S.<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cThe communion of life and love which is marriage thus emerges as<\/strong>\u00a0an<\/strong>\u00a0authentic good<\/b>\u00a0for<\/strong>\u00a0society.<\/b>\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a>
<\/span><\/p>\nDespite this, the American Psychological Association (APA)<\/a> notes that the percentage of first marriages that end in divorce is 40\u201350%! This rises to 60\u201367% for second marriages and 73% for third. <\/span><\/p>\nAt the same time marriage rates have also dropped significantly. (U.S. Census Bureau)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic insights often prove prescient. This may never be clearer than reflecting on this Papal statement from 1880: \u201cSo soon as the road to divorce began to be made smooth by law, at once quarrels, jealousies, and judicial separations largely increased\u201d. (Pope Leo XIII, 30)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Family?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTop Magisterial Quotes about Family<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Marriage?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Top Marriage Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nWhy is Family Important?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nHealthy Families are the Future<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nConsumption and Family Life<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nIs Family Life Today Under Attack?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nTypes of Families and New Definitions<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nRediscovering the Power of Fatherhood<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Importance of Motherhood<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nLearning from the Holy Family<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nAn Old Fashioned Christmas<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About the Family<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/span>Before understanding biblical teaching on divorce, we need to understand what marriage is: an\u00a0unconditional gift of self<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Bible and the Church teach that divorce is not the answer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\"Marriage\u2026transcends<\/b>\u00a0the<\/strong>\u00a0feelings<\/b> and momentary needs of the couple\u2026it is not born \u2018of loving sentiment, ephemeral by definition, but from the depth of the obligation assumed by the spouses who accept to enter a total communion of life\u2019.\" (Pope Francis, 66)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Just as the family is \u201cthe fundamental cell of society\u201d (Pope Francis, 66)<\/a>, \u201c[t]he family is based upon a marriage\u201d. (Pope St. John XXIII, 193)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As Jesus made clear, \"a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife...So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate<\/strong>.\" (Matthew 19:4-6)<\/span><\/p>\n The bottom, hard line remains: \u201cI say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) and marries another commits adultery.\u201d (Matthew 19:9)<\/span><\/p>\n This was reiterated by Saint Paul: \"A wife should not separate from her husband \u2013<\/span> and a husband should not divorce his wife.\" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, \"it is hardly possible to describe how great are the evils that flow from divorce.\" (Pope Leo XIII, 29)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \"Divorce is an evil<\/strong> and the increasing number of divorces is very troubling.\" (Pope Francis, 246)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that, \"Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law.\" (CCC, 2384-85)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n The Church does not abandon the divorced<\/strong>. On the contrary, she seeks them out, calling \"upon pastors and the whole community of the faithful to help the divorced, and with solicitous care to make sure that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church\". (Pope St. John Paul II, 84)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There is countless evidence of the benefits of married parents raising children and the difficulties and tragedies that arise when children grow up with divorced parents<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Church, while appreciating the situations of conflict that are part of marriage, cannot fail to speak out on behalf of those who are most vulnerable: the children who often suffer in silence.\u201d (Pope Francis, 246)<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"Apart from every other consideration, <\/span>the good of children should be the primary concern<\/strong>... N<\/span>ever ever, take your child hostage! Life gave you a trial, but\u00a0your\u00a0children should not have to bear the burden of this separation\".<\/span>\u00a0(Pope Francis, 245)<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching urges that marriage be promoted as central to society\u2019s flourishing<\/strong> and warns of the consequences of legalizing divorce. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \"The family\u00a0constitutes\u2026a\u00a0community of love\u00a0and solidarity, which is uniquely suited to teach and transmit cultural, ethical, social, spiritual and religious values, essential for the development and well-being of its own members and of society.\" (Preamble, E., Charter of the Rights of the Family)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cChristians\u2026should actively promote\u00a0the values\u00a0of marriage and the family, both\u00a0by the examples of their\u00a0own lives\u00a0and by cooperation with other men of good will.\u201d\u00a0(Gaudium et Spes, 52)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Despite this, the American Psychological Association (APA)<\/a> notes that the percentage of first marriages that end in divorce is 40\u201350%! This rises to 60\u201367% for second marriages and 73% for third. <\/span><\/p>\n At the same time marriage rates have also dropped significantly. (U.S. Census Bureau)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic insights often prove prescient. This may never be clearer than reflecting on this Papal statement from 1880: \u201cSo soon as the road to divorce began to be made smooth by law, at once quarrels, jealousies, and judicial separations largely increased\u201d. (Pope Leo XIII, 30)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What is Family?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Top Magisterial Quotes about Family<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n What is Marriage?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Top Marriage Quotes from the Church<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Why is Family Important?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Healthy Families are the Future<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Consumption and Family Life<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Is Family Life Today Under Attack?<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Types of Families and New Definitions<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Rediscovering the Power of Fatherhood<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The Importance of Motherhood<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Learning from the Holy Family<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n An Old Fashioned Christmas<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tWhat Does the Bible Say About Divorce?<\/span><\/h2>\n
While Moses allowed divorce - due to hardness of our hearts (Matthew 19:8) that didn\u2019t mean God was fine with it! \"I hate divorce, says the Lord<\/strong>\". (Malachi 2:16). <\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Teaching Say About Divorce?<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cMarriage based on exclusive and definitive love\u00a0becomes the\u00a0icon\u00a0of the relationship between\u00a0God and his people\u00a0and vice versa.\u201d\u00a0(Pope Benedict XVI, 11)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHOWEVER<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Effect of Divorce on Children<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/span>\"Divorce is immoral<\/strong> also because it introduces disorder into the family and into society.\" (CCC, 2384-85)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nMarriage is Irreplaceable<\/span><\/h2>\n
The family is the<\/strong>\u00a0image of God<\/b>\u00a0who \u201cin his deepest\u00a0mystery\u00a0is not all by himself, but a\u00a0family, since he has in himself fatherhood, sonship and the\u00a0essence\u00a0of the\u00a0family, which is\u00a0love\u201d.\u00a0(Pope St. John Paul II)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe Divorce Rate in the U.S.<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u201cThe communion of life and love which is marriage thus emerges as<\/strong>\u00a0an<\/strong>\u00a0authentic good<\/b>\u00a0for<\/strong>\u00a0society.<\/b>\u201d (Pope Benedict XVI)<\/a>
<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t