Divorce and re-marriage

• Divorce


  Legal ending or a marriage
• Remarriage


  When someone marries again while their former pouse is still alive
• Annulment


  A Catholic Church ruling that a marriage was never valid
• Reasons for divorce

  • Adultery

  • Illness or disability

  • Disappointment about lovemaking

  • Work and money pressures

  • Inability to have children

  • Domestic violence/abuse

  • Addiction (alcoholism/drug-taking/gambling)

  • Immaturity

  • People changing, growing apart and falling out of love
• Arguments for divorce/ remarriage


  Some Christians think that although marriage is for life, divorce is sometimes the lesser of two evils. CofE recognises some marriages don't work out and these couples should be able to have a divorce. Divorced Anglicans can marry someone else within the church with the bishop's permission.

  Other Protestant churches, such as the Methodist Church, accept civil divorce and allow remarriage in church if the couple take their vows seriously. They think the church should reflect God's forgiveness and allow people who have made mistakes the opportunity to find happiness in a second marriage.
• Arguments against divorce/ remarriage

  The Catholic Church teaches that a civil divorce can't dissolve a marriage between two baptised people. Catholics can separate but they cannot remarry while their partner is still alive. Remarriage would mean living in public permanent adultery - your original marriage is your only marriage.

  Marriage is a sacrament that is permanent, exclusive, and lifelong, and the couple make vows to one another before God that can never be broken. God then joins them together as one flesh and this cannot be separated.
• Quote on adultery

  The Bible says 'thou shalt not commit adultery'. This is important for Christians as it is a divine instruction from God that should not be broken.