Divorce is the legal ending of a marriage. The couple are then free in civil law to remarry.

When does the Catechism (2383) accept separation or civil divorce?

Separation can be legitimate when living together has become impossible or dangerous. Civil divorce may be tolerated to protect legal rights or children, but the marriage bond remains.

Why does the Catechism (2384–2386) call divorce a grave offence?

Divorce breaks a promise made freely before God and harms children and society. A spouse who is unjustly abandoned, however, has not sinned.

What is an annulment?

An annulment is a declaration by a Church tribunal that a valid sacramental marriage never existed. The couple are then free to marry in the Church.

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B 1RB0

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Catholic Christianity: Marriage and the Family

Catholic teaching on divorce, annulment and remarriage

3 things to know
Paper 1

Overview

The indissolubility of marriage in Catechism 2382 to 2386, when separation is accepted, grounds for annulment, remarriage and Amoris Laetitia, the Church of England and Orthodox views, and situation ethics.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is divorce?

Key term

Why does the Catholic Church not accept divorce?

Key term

What does the Catechism (2382) teach about the indissolubility of marriage?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is divorce?
Model answer
Divorce is the legal ending of a marriage. The couple are then free in civil law to remarry.
2
Why does the Catholic Church not accept divorce?
Model answer
The Church teaches that a valid sacramental marriage is lifelong and cannot be dissolved by any human power. Jesus said that what God has joined together, no one must separate.
3
What does the Catechism (2382) teach about the indissolubility of marriage?
Model answer
The Catechism says Jesus restored the Creator's original plan that marriage cannot be dissolved. A consummated marriage between baptised people ends only with death.
4
When does the Catechism (2383) accept separation or civil divorce?
Model answer
Separation can be legitimate when living together has become impossible or dangerous. Civil divorce may be tolerated to protect legal rights or children, but the marriage bond remains.
5
Why does the Catechism (2384–2386) call divorce a grave offence?
Model answer
Divorce breaks a promise made freely before God and harms children and society. A spouse who is unjustly abandoned, however, has not sinned.
6
What is an annulment?
Model answer
An annulment is a declaration by a Church tribunal that a valid sacramental marriage never existed. The couple are then free to marry in the Church.

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