MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Indissolubility Of Marriage / Marital Separation / Annulment / Divorce

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As stated in the Baltimore Catechism... (emphasis added)

Q. Can the bond of Christian marriage be dissolved by any human power?

A. The bond of Christian marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power. [As expressed in Canon Law (Church Law): "Can. 1118 A ratified and consummated valid marriage can be dissolved by no human power and for no cause, outside of death." (1917 Code of Canon Law) & "Can. 1141 A marriage that is ratum et consummatum can be dissolved by no human power and by no cause, except death." (1983 Code of Canon Law)]

Q. Does not a divorce granted by courts of justice break the bond of marriage?

A. Divorce granted by courts of justice or by any human power does not break the bond of marriage, and one who makes use of such a divorce to marry again while the 'former' husband or wife lives commits a sacrilege and lives in the sin of adultery. A civil divorce...has no effect whatever upon the bond and spiritual nature of the Sacrament.

Q. Does not the Church sometimes allow husband and wife to separate and live apart?

A. The Church sometimes, for very good reasons, does allow husband and wife to separate and live apart; but that is not dissolving the bond of marriage, or divorce as it is called, for though separated they are still husband and wife and neither can marry [as long as both are alive].

Q. Has not the Church sometimes allowed Catholics once married to separate and marry again?

A. The Church has never allowed Catholics once really married to separate and marry again, but it has sometimes declared persons apparently married free to marry again because their 'first marriage' was null; that is, no marriage on account of some impediment not discovered until after the ceremony. [Note: This refers to a declaration of nullity or "annulment".]

Q. What evils follow divorce so commonly claimed by those outside the true Church and granted by civil authority?

The evils that follow divorce so commonly claimed by those outside the true Church and granted by civil authority are very many; but chiefly (1) A disregard for the sacred character of the Sacrament and for the spiritual welfare of the children; (2) The loss of the true idea of home and family followed by bad morals and sinful living.

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"We say that the bond of marriage is indissoluble or that it cannot be dissolved except by the death of either husband or wife, because God so ordained from the beginning and so Jesus Christ our Lord solemnly proclaimed." (Catechism of Pope St. Pius X)

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