The dissolution of a marriage and its interaction with religious doctrine presents a complex situation within the Catholic Church. Canon law views marriage as a sacrament, a sacred and indissoluble union until death. Instances of marital breakdown, therefore, pose significant challenges to this fundamental tenet. Annulments, granted under specific circumstances, represent a declaration that a valid sacramental marriage never existed, differing significantly from civil dissolution.
The Church’s stance impacts individuals seeking to remarry within the faith. Those who obtain a civil decree of separation or dissolution are not permitted to remarry sacramentally unless the prior marriage is declared null. This restriction arises from the belief in the permanence of the marriage bond. Historically, this position has evolved, with the annulment process becoming more accessible in recent times due to revised interpretations of canonical requirements and expanded grounds for nullity. This shift, however, does not alter the core doctrine regarding the sanctity and indissolubility of marriage.