Christian Beliefs about Life and Death » Annulment, Divorce and Remarriage in Christianity
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 1, 2.6 (Christianity)
- What Jesus taught about divorce (Mark 10:9 and Matthew 19:9)
- Why the Catholic Church allows annulment but not divorce and remarriage
- How Orthodox, Protestant and Church of England Christians differ
- Forgiveness, Church support and the effects of marriage breakdown
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Unlock This CourseWhat Jesus taught
The lesson Divorce, Remarriage and Marriage Breakdown explained what divorce, annulment and remarriage mean, how the law works and what non-religious people think. This lesson looks at what Christians believe. The lesson Christian Marriage: Vows, Monogamy and Purposes showed that Christians see marriage as a lifelong promise made before God.
Christian teaching on divorce begins with Jesus. In Mark 10:9 he says, "What God has joined together, let no one separate." For many Christians this means marriage is permanent, and divorce goes against God's plan. In Mark 10:11-12 Jesus also says that remarrying after divorce is a form of adultery.
In Matthew 19:9, however, Jesus gives an exception: divorce is allowed if one partner has been sexually unfaithful. Some Christians use this to say that divorce is permitted in such a case, and that the innocent partner may then remarry. Others say Jesus was still describing a wrong that should be avoided.
Key terms:
- Indissoluble: cannot be broken or dissolved. The Catholic Church teaches that a valid marriage is indissoluble.
- Declaration of nullity: the official ruling, made by a Church court, that a marriage was never valid. It is the Catholic form of annulment.
- Forgiveness: pardoning someone who has done wrong, and letting go of resentment.
Different Christian views
⛪ Catholic
A valid marriage is for life, because it is a sacrament and Jesus said no one should separate what God has joined. A couple may divorce under the law, but in the eyes of the Church they are still married, so they cannot marry someone else in church while the first partner lives.
🙏 Orthodox
Orthodox Christians also see marriage as a sacrament and want it to last. Yet they accept that some marriages die. They allow divorce as a sad necessity and may permit a second marriage, usually with a more serious service that includes saying sorry to God.
📖 Protestant
Most Protestant Churches accept divorce as a sad necessity when a marriage has broken down, often pointing to the exception in Matthew 19:9 and to God's love for people who have failed. Many allow remarriage, though ministers can differ.
Annulment
An annulment is different from divorce. A divorce ends a marriage that was real. In the Catholic Church, a declaration of nullity says a true marriage never existed. A Church court studies the case. Reasons can include that one partner did not freely agree to the marriage, or never intended to be faithful or to stay for life. If the Church finds there was no valid marriage, both people are free to marry in church.
The Catholic Church does not see this as a way round its rule. It is a ruling about what happened at the wedding, so the teaching that a valid marriage cannot be dissolved stays the same. Critics say annulments can look like divorce under another name, and that the process can be painful and slow.
Remarriage in the Church of England
The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life, but it accepts that some marriages end. It allows some divorced people to remarry in church. The vicar decides in each case, looking at the circumstances, and a vicar may refuse to conduct the service. Some Church of England Christians support this because of God's mercy. Others fear it weakens the idea of lifelong vows.
Forgiveness and a fresh start
Many Christians say that divorce, though sad, is not beyond God's forgiveness. Christians believe God forgives people who are truly sorry (1 John 1:9). So a divorced person can receive God's forgiveness and make a fresh start, including taking a full part in the life of the Church. Christians are also told to forgive each other. This can help former partners, and their families, to move on without bitterness.
Church support and the effects of marriage breakdown
When a marriage is in trouble, Churches try to help. They may offer prayer, talks with a priest or minister, marriage counselling and support groups. Church members may offer practical help, such as meals or childcare, and the community aims to stay welcoming to divorced people.
- Individuals: grief, anger, loneliness and money worries. Religious people may also feel guilt or fear of judgement.
- The Church: divorce can cause disagreement about what to teach and do, and the Church must balance upholding marriage with caring for people whose marriages have failed.
- Society: children can be affected, and families may have to find new homes. Christians say strong, supportive communities help.
Common mistakes
- Saying all Christians forbid divorce. Many accept it as a sad necessity.
- Saying annulment is the same as divorce. Annulment says there was never a valid marriage.
- Saying the Catholic Church bans civil divorce. The point is that a divorced Catholic cannot remarry in church while the first partner lives, unless the marriage is annulled.
- Giving opinions with no teaching. Name Mark 10:9, Matthew 19:9 or a Church.
Exam-style question
(a) Identify three ways a Church might support a couple whose marriage is in difficulty. [3 marks, AO1]
(b) Choose one religion. Outline two teachings about divorce in this religion. [4 marks, AO1]
(c) Explain why there are different Christian attitudes to remarriage after divorce. [6 marks, AO1 and AO2]
(d) "Divorced people should not be allowed to remarry in church." Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks, AO1 and AO2]
Model answer
(a) 1. Prayer (1). 2. Marriage counselling (1). 3. Talking with a priest or minister (1).
(b) Christianity. Christians teach that marriage is meant to be lifelong (1), because Jesus said in Mark 10:9 that no one should separate what God has joined (1). Many Christians also accept divorce as a sad necessity (1), because Matthew 19:9 allows it in a case of sexual unfaithfulness (1).
(c) Christians disagree because they understand Jesus' words in different ways. The Catholic Church teaches that a valid marriage is a sacrament that cannot be dissolved, so it does not allow a divorced person to remarry in church unless the first marriage is annulled. Many Protestant Christians point to Matthew 19:9, and Orthodox Christians stress God's mercy for people whose marriages have died, so both say divorce is a sad necessity and remarriage is possible. The Church of England says marriage is for life, but lets a vicar decide whether to marry a divorced person in church. So the difference is between those who stress the permanence of marriage and those who stress mercy and a fresh start.
(d) Plan. For: Mark 10:9 and Mark 10:11-12 show that marriage is for life and that remarriage is adultery; the Catholic view that the first marriage still stands; church weddings promise lifelong vows, so a second one weakens them. Against: Matthew 19:9 allows an exception; the Church of England lets vicars marry divorced people; forgiveness and a fresh start are Christian ideas; refusing could hurt an innocent partner, and non-religious people say a couple should be free to remarry. Conclusion. A strong answer could say that Catholics can reasonably support the statement, while other Christians may argue that mercy should come first. State which side you find stronger and why.
Exam tip
In part (c), name at least two Churches and say what each teaches and why. "The Catholic Church teaches X because Y, but Orthodox Christians say Z because W" reaches Level 2.
Recap
- Jesus taught that God joins a couple (Mark 10:9), with an exception for unfaithfulness (Matthew 19:9).
- The Catholic Church teaches that a valid marriage is indissoluble, but it may grant a declaration of nullity.
- Orthodox and Protestant Christians accept divorce as a sad necessity.
- The Church of England allows remarriage in church in some cases, at the vicar's choice.
- Churches offer forgiveness and support, and divorce affects individuals, the Church and society.