Quote:
Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
Well said Librasoul.
I am not religious (I don't believe in organized religion...but that's another thread for another time), but I'm all for the church, or mosque, or synagogue, or temple, etc, etc for choosing who they will or will not marry. As a private institution that is their right. The Catholic church won't marry someone who has been divorced (unless of course they have changed this, then correct me if I am wrong), and that is their right, based on their specific beliefs.
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::: putting on scholar's cap:::
It is a *lot* more complicated than this.
The issue is not about civil divorce but whether the sacrament actually took place. Catholics believe that marriage is not merely a civil contract, although there are civil aspects to it, but a literal sacramental bonding of souls that is a living representation of the intended bond between God and humanity. Hence why divorce and marriage issues are such a huge deal--a *lot* of theology behind it. A civil divorce does not break the sacramental bonding.
The only way someone can divorce and remarry legitimately in the church is to examine the marriage to determine whether or not this bonding took place. There are circumstances where it can be declared that it didn't (this is called an annulment). Examples of situations that would lead to annulment would include mental illness, agreeing to marry under duress, etc.
If anyone wants to hear more feel free to PM or email. I intended to read this only so as to learn and understand more from my GC buddies. Didn't mean to hijak.
But since the issue was touched upon, I thought I'd add the 2 cents.
Adrienne
(edited 'cause a smiley inserted itself in the message in the wrong place and looked really dumb)
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