Divorce

Divorce claims to break the contract to which the spouses freely consented to live with each other until death. The Catholic Church teaches that a valid and consummated sacramental marriage can never be dissolved by any human power, including civil divorce (CCC 2382, 2384).

Civil Separation vs. New Unions

If a civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of children, or protection from abuse, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense (CCC 2383). However, entering a new union while the valid spouse is still living places the person in a situation of objective adultery (CCC 2384).