Divorce In The Catholic Church

Catholic tolerance and same sex marriage laws

The vote legalizing same sex marriages in New York state was opposed by Archbishop Timothy Dolan , head not only of the state’s largest archdiocese but also president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). I understand the archbishop’s use of hyperbole in predicting dire consequences for this “assault” on the “sacred” meaning of matrimony, but in my opinion nothing like that is going to result. Here is why.

Catholic marriage is a sacrament . Such is not the case with Protestants who may consider marriage a “holy state” but often see it as a social contract, such as now sanctioned for couples of the same gender. Catholic theology, however, keeps the bishops exempt from such contract laws. A state-legalized marriage between persons of the same gender can never be mistaken for the Catholic sacrament. New York state can change its requirements for issuing a certificate of marriage, but on that account does not diminish the bishops’ teaching authority in matters of the sacrament of marriage.

It would be another matter, however, if this law encroached on other aspects of Catholic practice, so it will be interesting to keep track of issues like adoption and Catholic agencies. It is important to remember that few would call the church “corrupt” for obeying the law: it is more likely the church would be seen as corrupt for not obeying the law, e.g. about turning in pedophiles.

Does marriage for gays and lesbians overturn the standards of public morality? Blessed Pope John Paul II committed the church to the evangelization, not only of individuals, but of cultures. He urged us to construct society upon Gospel principles. But I would argue that legalized same-gender marriage poses less risk to public morality than legalized divorce. Note that a generation ago in Catholic countries like Italy and Ireland, fierce battles were waged against allowing divorce. In reaction, the public often distorted matrimony as depicted in the movie, “Divorce Italian Style,” where couples getting married used to pre-sign a document testifying to coercion. This was a get-out-of-marriage-free card that gave grounds for a Catholic annulment. This practice, however, put a secret deal behind so many church weddings it effectively made matrimony a farce.

The Heterodox Homosexual: Malta, divorce, and the Catholic Church

Here in America, where that particular ship sailed away a long time ago, the Church uses similar arguments against same-sex marriage. You'd almost think that moralizers who used religion as a pretext for social control tailored their immutable and universal moral principles to whatever they thought they could get away with in each time and place. Unsurprisingly, Catholics who oppose marriage equality do not appreciate having such things pointed out to them.

Oh, I just can't imagine why the Catholics hate having their folly pointed out to them... nothing like the church trying to guilt-trip you into sticking with a horrible marriage. *rolls eyes*. I, for one, am of the opinion that marriage has very little to do with religion. Sure, you can make it religious if you want, but for the most part you're basically just saying "I'm willing to put up with your crap if you're willing to put up with mine" to something you share mutual ideas with.

Divorce, annulments, and the Catholic Church, healing or hurtful?

Catholic Divorce, The Deception of Annulments

Divorce and remarriage in the Catholic Church

Marriage, Divorce and Nullity, A Guide to the Annulment Process in the Catholic Church

Marriage and divorce, 1867-1906