Divorce and Remarriage

http://www.truthmagazine.com/arch0.html ^ | Warren R. King

[jo kus]

I wish I knew more about this topic. I am not very well versed in the Code of Cannon Law, which more fully describes the annulment process and so forth. However, I will do my best.

A Pauline Privilege is the dissolution of a purely natural marriage which had been contracted between two non-Christians, one of whom has since become a Christian. The Pauline Privilege is so-named because it is based upon the apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16.

Paul tells us in verse 15 that if the unbelieving spouse refuses to live with the Christian partner (who naturally converted AFTER the natural marriage began), the unbeliever can be allowed to withdraw from the marriage, leaving the Christian partner unbound, free to remarry. The Pauline Privilege thus may apply when the Church dissolves a natural marriage after one partner has become Christian and there is a just cause, such as the non-Catholic's refusal to live at peace with the Christian partner.

The Pauline Privilege differs from an annulment because it dissolves a real but natural marriage. An annulment is a declaration that there never was a valid marriage to begin with.

I am not aware of the Catholic Church granting a "divorce" due to adultery. My wife and I teach a pre-marriage ministry, and this is ALWAYS a difficult subject when we come to it. The Catholic Church DOES NOT allow a divorce in this case, nor is the marriage automatically null and void. If the spouses separate, that is fine - they both can continue to receive the sacraments. However, when one marries (or fornicates with another who is not their spouse), then adultery is being committed. It is a difficult teaching in today's culture - but frankly, it calls the couple to avoid hasty separations, and hopefully, it leads the couples to avoid the situation in the first place.

Regarding people being afraid to teach what the Scripture lays out on the indissolubility of marriage, this verse comes to mind: "If I were trying to win man's approval, I surely would not be serving Christ" (Gal 1:10). Not an easy teaching sometimes, but it quickly tells us where our heart is.

Regards

[marajade]

And you never sought counseling?

[redgolum]

My buddy is not known for putting things in a positive light. It is a powerful illustration though, but not one to tell some people.

[HitmanLV]

Wild!

[cva66snipe]

And then there is the issue of abuse. There are real legitimate reasons for divorce outside of adultry and I believe abuse is one.

I honestly do to. Man is responsible for how he treats his family. No man has GO's permission to beat his wife or be a tyrant to her or their kids. My wife went through that part as well before he left her for another woman. No woman deserves to be beaten. Sometimes remarriage gives protection from that as well especially if the new husband is much bigger than the ex. LOL

[unixfox]

How would you define marriage being weaker?

I can define it in one word:

FEMINISM

[texan75010]

And you never sought counseling?

See original post......tons of counseling.

[marajade]

Glad we agree.

[marajade]

You did the right thing. Congrats on your second happier marriage.

[mlc9852]

You may be right.

[redgolum]

What is even wilder is that we (my buddy and I) grew up in an area where if the priest/pastor thought you weren't ready for marriage, then they wouldn't marry you.

His wedding had to be postponed at least once that I know of before the priest would consent to let them get married. Angered both him and his wife at the time, but looking back they both agree that it was better that way. It forced them to confront some issues that both were trying to ignore.Heck, in my home church, you were considered "married" once you were engaged (except for the conjugal part). Breaking off an engagement was considered a divorce, and you would be excommunicated unless you could prove that infidelity had happened.

[Paperdoll]

>Why do people who can't stand each other marry each
other?<

Well, they say love is blind, and is it ever! I think arranged marriages may have some merit, but the cult of instant gratification and the "me" generation have thrown up serious roadblocks to successful marriage, imho. Only the Lord is the glue for a good marriage. And He said we should not be unequally yoked.

[TradicalRC]

No one said God's rules are easy. But they are true.

[colorcountry]

There are reasons we have contracts in our society. The main reason is to ensure that both parties live up to their agreements.

Just because one doesn't want to pay for his car any longer, he is not relieved from the responsibility of his contract. Just because your bored with your marriage, no longer happy, or in love with someone else, the law should not just let you out of your contract to your spouse and children.

[Paperdoll]

WOW! You surely got our attention with this subject!

[mlc9852]

You have it right.

[marajade]

I never cited any of those as legitimate reasons. There are many reasons though where I would besides physical abuse, ie., alcoholism or drug addiction.

[TradicalRC]

Experience shows that these threads end up being pro-marriage from those who have stayed committed and pro-divorce from those who didn't.

[colorcountry]

Yes, in many cases someone already broke the contract. Like you said in cases of abuse, the abuser already broke the "contact," so the provisions benefiting him are no longer valid.

Liken it to a contract with a building contactor where he promises to build you a house, and you promise to pay him. Now, if he doesn't build the house to specifications outlined in the contract, then you don't owe him the money...this is how the law treats broken contracts.

In marriage if one spouse breaks the contract, then the other party is freed from his/her obligations to the offending party. Adultery, physical abuse, and others are legitimate causes for divorce (nullification of contract.)

[TradicalRC]

We are not to judge anyone. God does that, by His rules, His way, doesn't need or want our help, and will do so whether we like it or desire it or not.

Really? The Gospel I have has Jesus saying that you CAN JUDGE a tree by its fruits, and I'm pretty sure He considered divorce very bad fruit.