The dissolution of a marriage, followed by a subsequent marital union, presents a complex issue within the Catholic Church. While civil dissolution, often termed “divorce,” is recognized by secular law, the Church holds marriage to be a sacrament, a sacred and indissoluble bond between a man and a woman, intended to last until death. Therefore, a civil divorce, in itself, does not dissolve a marriage in the eyes of the Church.
The Church’s understanding of the permanence of marriage stems from interpretations of scripture and tradition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that marriage is a covenant “by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life” (CCC 1601). Because of this understanding, individuals who have divorced civilly and then enter into another marriage without an annulment are considered by the Church to be in a state of adultery, and thus are typically barred from receiving Holy Communion. This stance reflects the Church’s commitment to upholding what it believes to be the divinely ordained nature of marriage. The historical context of this doctrine dates back to the early Church, though nuances in its application have evolved over time.
