Catholic Teaching on Divorce

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[SoleaGalilei]

I'm not Catholic, but I admire how seriously marriage is treated in Catholicism. I think it would save a world of pain and heartbreak for many people if we all took the commitment of marriage that seriously. Too many people marry for the wrong reasons or without really thinking about what they are doing.

[karenkushla]

I am divorced and received an ecclesiastical annulment because my ex-husband didn't tell me he was gay. He was not faithful to me in our marriage and was emotionally and verbally abusive. Annulment was supported by several priests I know, and was granted about 18 months after I submitted my application (Covid interfered and added about 9 months to the process).

[JenniMeer]

I know that this is off topic, but my son was baptized into the Church on Saturday (May 27, 2023)!! My daughter is asking questions and is considering joining RCIA this fall. Also, please pray for her because she fell at work Sunday and had a seizure. She is at home and in good spirits. Thanks!! 😊

[erasmusflattery]

I’m really grateful you’ve been making Catholicism in Focus videos again. They’re really fun and informative, and you fit the teacher role really well!

[JosephMichaeloftheCross]

Being one who has gone through the annulment process. Fr. Casey, you did great in explaining. If only I had the capacity of having this knowledge in the previous relationship. Thanks to be God, that it was declared annulled, I am making sure to discern carefully this time. Hope future spouses watches this video or Bishop Robert Barron's video on marriage. Really eye opener.

[dawnlapka]

I am divorced. Our family went through annulment. If I am ever given the opportunity to marry again, I would not want to leave the Sacraments. I am grateful for the grace of staying close to my Faith. I still pray everyday for my kids and my former spouse that things will work themselves out. ❤ Thanks for covering this topic, Father Casey.

[alexabihabib]

Thank you for the explanation and for your compassion! As someone not yet married, learning about this just makes marriage even more beautiful

[maaxt]

Well done, Father. I heard a priest once joke that marriage is the only vocation without a period of discernment. During our pre-Cana session 42 years ago, the priest said that marriage was not a 50-50 relationship, but that we must give 100%. All the time. Wise words over the years

[anna-katehowell]

This may be a level of insider baseball that most viewers wouldn't be interested in, but I'd love to see a Catholicism in Focus where you go through the list of reasons for annulment and break them down.

[bcgarrels]

This is such a prescient video for me. My wife had an affair which I discovered, and she left me to be with her adulterous lover. I begged her to reconsider and not divorce me, but she insisted on it. She eventually told me I had to sign the papers or the judge would make a decree. Over two years after she told me she wanted the divorce, I relented and signed the papers. We were not married in the Catholic Church, but I recently completed RCIA and was confirmed in the Church and attend Mass regularly and partake in the sacraments. She is an avowed atheist and always has been. I know I came into the Church of my own free will, so I fully understood what it meant when I came into full Communion with the Church. Even though my wife committed adultery and forced the divorce upon me against my will, I am now forced into a life of celibacy unless I pursue an annulment. I am not going to lie, it is extremely difficult to contemplate living the rest of my life alone in the earthly sense (I always have my beloved Jesus and the Angels and Saints). It is a struggle every day. When priests take their vows, they know what they are signing up for. I guess I did too when I heeded the call to join the one true Church. But I definitely did not fully appreciate how hard it would be. Please pray for me. O my Jesus! Forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all Souls to Heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy Mercy!

[joncarsello]

Thank you for explaining the meaning of the marriage covenant. The clarity you bring to this and other issues is fantastic. I never finish watching one of your videos without learning something new about my religion.

[christinehenley]

I am newly divorced but am opting to not seek an annulment. I knew exactly what I was agreeing to with God. He's already remarried but that's not my problem. 😊

[deusx.machinaanime.]

In the Philippines 🇵🇭, a mainly Catholic nation, it is still illegal to get a divorce.
The Catholic Church in the Phillipines will have to go back to the Vatican in Rome to “annul” a Catholic Filipino marriage.
The country of the Philippines 🇵🇭 is the last country in the world to still prohibit divorce.

The second last was, as far as I know, was Malta 🇲🇹 ( in 2011)

[Angel-iler]

Thank you for clarifying this. It probably will help a lot of people.

I am a catholic and got married in the faith. When I became disabled and medically retired my husband left me for my best friend who i discovered he had been having an affair with for years.

He was an alcoholic for many years and so could not support our children. Eventually I instigated a divorce. I was banned not only from all sacraments but from even going to mass or entering the church. I have never even thought about having another relationship; Yet he was allowed to marry his latest girlfriend in the same church.

Since moving to another area where I was welcomed back into the church, I know realise that the decisions made where not Gods but mans.

Anyone in the same position should seek out another parish and forgive the people involved. I understand now It is their will and not Gods that they are undertaking.

[nbenefiel]

My great aunt married and moved from Detroit to San Francisco, away from her family. He beat her, pretty much isolated her, and brought his mistress home and expected her to wait on both of them. Finally, my great grandfather and grandfather went out and brought her and her baby home. She was in her early 20’s. She lived to be 90. She never divorced him, never dated, and lived alone for the rest of her life. She married in the church. There was no chance of an annulment. It seemed a pretty grim life to me. I BTW married in the church and have been married for 45 years. We’ve gone through some very difficult times but never considered divorcing.

[glimmeringgirl]

I'm getting married in December in my church. I'm 36 so a little older, I am happy I waited for the right one and we are going through the pre-cana classes now

[kp]

Just had my finals in Theology regarding marriage in the Catholic context, and I am so glad all of the studying I did lead me to understand fully all parts of this video. Thank you Fr. Casey! ❤

[frankrault]

Thank you father Casey, your words mean a lot to me and some of my friends!

[ModernLady]

I’m going through an annulment now as a preparation for coming into full communion in the Catholic Church. So far it has been a pleasant experience. I only wish it could go a little faster, especially since my case is quite simple and I really, really want to take communion and get confirmed.

[daytimestudios]

I think I have the same catechism! Great resources but it’s little bit hard to understand. I have traumatic brain injury a long time ago but it’s frustrating because I have aphasia. All kinds for this book, catechism! I got it 2022 December for Christmas, our lord and savior!!!! Thank you friar/priest!