Catholic Teaching on Divorce

[@karenkushla3975]

I am divorced and received an ecclesiastical annulment because my ex-husband didn't tell me he was gay. He was not faithful to me in our marriage and was emotionally and verbally abusive. Annulment was supported by several priests I know, and was granted about 18 months after I submitted my application (Covid interfered and added about 9 months to the process).

[@johnm5928]

He's not your ex husband because you were never truly married. I am very sorry and will pray for you!

[@karenkushla3975]

@@johnm5928 thank you.

[@sasi5841]

How did you end up in a relationship with a gay man?

[@karenkushla3975]

@@sasi5841 we were next-door neighbors in the college dorm and were friends. Our friendship developed into love.

[@ml7245]

Sorry to hear that, God loves us, may your heart find peace

[@JenniMeer]

I know that this is off topic, but my son was baptized into the Church on Saturday (May 27, 2023)!! My daughter is asking questions and is considering joining RCIA this fall. Also, please pray for her because she fell at work Sunday and had a seizure. She is at home and in good spirits. Thanks!! 😊

[@joantreadway7557]

Prayers being sent

[@myriamkanga8518]

May she receive complete healing.

[@JenniMeer]

@@myriamkanga8518 I just realized how long ago this was!! She fully recovered and is living a normal 20 something life!! 🥰

[@erasmusflattery9799]

I’m really grateful you’ve been making Catholicism in Focus videos again. They’re really fun and informative, and you fit the teacher role really well!

[@anthonyw2931]

hear! hear!

[@anna-katehowell9852]

This may be a level of insider baseball that most viewers wouldn't be interested in, but I'd love to see a Catholicism in Focus where you go through the list of reasons for annulment and break them down.

[@christinacole7019]

I would be interested in seeing that too!

[@finarentz3814]

Same here. I’m curious as to how we could we could expand the ability to receive them

[@chommie5350]

Did you people not watch the video ? It's all there ....

[@lordrefrigerator]

I’m for that! Topics like these are so complicated and expansive that it would probably take more than an 8 minute video (despite it’s great quality) to cover.

[@kevinwillems8720]

Reasons for annulment. Plays Tallahassee by The Mountain Goats.

[@SoleaGalilei]

I'm not Catholic, but I admire how seriously marriage is treated in Catholicism. I think it would save a world of pain and heartbreak for many people if we all took the commitment of marriage that seriously. Too many people marry for the wrong reasons or without really thinking about what they are doing.

[@carolynkimberly4021]

Perhaps you would like to look into the Faith more?

[@cherrypinkblue]

As a Catholic myself, every subject of Catholic teaching always has such a high standard and deep thoughts, even becoming a Catholic has a long process. And that's why many Catholics, including myself, fail everyday. Because how hard it is to live the faith and to have such self control. The same reason why I choose to stay, despite the skepticism or scandals, it's because the Church take everything seriously.

[@ianaudenaert5850]

@@cherrypinkblue don’t lose hope or stop trying to live like a son of God because He loves you for who you are, don’t forget that. It’s okay to sometimes make mistakes and in the eye of God they are forgiven no matter what, as long as you put Jesus first. Have a blessed day! ❤

[@econdude3811]

I agree that it should be taken seriously, but as an example, I worked with a woman who literally divorced her husband after being married for less than a year. She married in the Catholic Church and the preparation didn't make a difference. Also, as someone who has never married, I realize how painful it must be for divorced Catholics who still want to practice (I am a cultural Catholic and do not practice at all)

[@carolynkimberly4021]

@@econdude3811 Divorced Catholics, as long as they don't attempt to remarry, are encouraged to live a full sacramental life.

[@Roman_CatholicWarrior235]

Being one who has gone through the annulment process. Fr. Casey, you did great in explaining. If only I had the capacity of having this knowledge in the previous relationship. Thanks to be God, that it was declared annulled, I am making sure to discern carefully this time. Hope future spouses watches this video or Bishop Robert Barron's video on marriage. Really eye opener.

[@sienkiewiczmonika1161]

May I ask how many months or years (and money) your annulment cost?

[@Roman_CatholicWarrior235]

@Sienkiewicz Monika sure, mine through the Diocese of Tucson, which they charged $25 for the process, and mine actually took approximately two to three years to make a decision

[@kristofedetakacs4197]

Can I ask which one of Bishop Barron's video are you referring to? Would very much like to watch

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@sienkiewiczmonika1161 it used to take $200 and about a year, sometimes less, here in California. Not sure now.

[@whatsup3270]

@@sienkiewiczmonika1161 please understand the conditions very greatly as do the costs, many parishes will allow the process to continue regardless of money and most people never pay enough to cover actual costs. For example someone married once civilly and divorced (invalid criteria illicit form) it "may" be simple. Others with

[@dawnlapka3782]

I am divorced. Our family went through annulment. If I am ever given the opportunity to marry again, I would not want to leave the Sacraments. I am grateful for the grace of staying close to my Faith. I still pray everyday for my kids and my former spouse that things will work themselves out. ❤ Thanks for covering this topic, Father Casey.

[@alexabihabib8215]

Thank you for the explanation and for your compassion! As someone not yet married, learning about this just makes marriage even more beautiful

[@christinehenley9017]

I am newly divorced but am opting to not seek an annulment. I knew exactly what I was agreeing to with God. He's already remarried but that's not my problem. 😊

[@dellchica2373]

Same

[@wickedhenderson4497]

Same also

[@Lancer-y5g]

Good for you people. There are thousands of invalid annulments and people are going to find this out when they face God. Shame on these tribunals

[@daviddsouza735]

What happens when civil divorce is not new, like 3 years and following a period of about 8 years separation?

[@glimmeringgirl]

I'm getting married in December in my church. I'm 36 so a little older, I am happy I waited for the right one and we are going through the pre-cana classes now

[@StAlphonsusHasAPosse]

Congratulations! May your marriage be blessed

[@anthony1776diaz]

Congrats!

[@kp9894]

Just had my finals in Theology regarding marriage in the Catholic context, and I am so glad all of the studying I did lead me to understand fully all parts of this video. Thank you Fr. Casey! ❤

[@leonunez8335]

Question... My Mom and her husband got married in their early 20s... marriage only lasted like 1 year.. they've been separated ever since... she is almost 50 now and has been with her BF for 20+yrs... my mom filed for divorce, but her husband never wants to accept her divorce.. If my mom gets divorced would she be able to marry again or no?

[@tasiaflynn3549]

Thank you is the word of God Almighty

[@ModernLady]

I’m going through an annulment now as a preparation for coming into full communion in the Catholic Church. So far it has been a pleasant experience. I only wish it could go a little faster, especially since my case is quite simple and I really, really want to take communion and get confirmed.

[@AnABSOLUTEBarbarian]

You shouldn’t need an annulment. If you don’t have communion and confirmation, you couldn’t have had a liturgical service wedding and therefore weren’t married in The Church. Since the marriage lacked form it wouldn’t be considered valid and you wouldn’t qualify for an annulment.

[@ModernLady]

@@AnABSOLUTEBarbarian unfortunately not true. Non-Catholic marriage are automatically considered valid. If I had been Catholic, it would be a lack of form, but since I wasn’t my case don’t go under that. My ex is not validly baptised, so it’s not sacramental, but it still have to go through the whole process of annulment.

[@rosaritamaria4414]

Good things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue

[@ModernLady]

⁠@@rosaritamaria4414Absolutely! I got my response about a month ago. Marriage is annulled. Waiting for my confirmation now.

[@Angel-il4er]

Thank you for clarifying this. It probably will help a lot of people. I am a catholic and got married in the faith. When I became disabled and medically retired my husband left me for my best friend who i discovered he had been having an affair with for years. He was an alcoholic for many years and so could not support our children. Eventually I instigated a divorce. I was banned not only from all sacraments but from even going to mass or entering the church. I have never even thought about having another relationship; Yet he was allowed to marry his latest girlfriend in the same church. Since moving to another area where I was welcomed back into the church, I know realise that the decisions made where not Gods but mans. Anyone in the same position should seek out another parish and forgive the people involved. I understand now It is their will and not Gods that they are undertaking.

[@Rikkoshaye]

I'm so sorry you went through that, it sounds absolutely awful

[@Angel-il4er]

@@Rikkoshaye Thanks! One thing it taught me was how precious the gift of faith is. I used to walk my dog at sunset or sunrise and look up to the sky and pray and read the bible. I realised then that this beautiful world we live in, that he created for us could become my church and no one appart me could take my beliefs away from me. So in a way it made my faith in God deeper and more personal.

[@dellchica2373]

So sorry😢

[@macdisciple]

In 1978 my father, Catholic, and facing the shame of divorce, took his life.

[@bman5257]

I’m very sorry to hear about that. I will pray for him tonight.

[@icarojose6316]

Thats terrible to hear, the good news is that if he repents from all his heart there is still hope for him

[@Lancer-y5g]

Your mother was abandoning the marriage?

[@daviddsouza735]

More conversation can we have please?

[@frankrault3190]

Thank you father Casey, your words mean a lot to me and some of my friends!

[@nbenefiel]

My great aunt married and moved from Detroit to San Francisco, away from her family. He beat her, pretty much isolated her, and brought his mistress home and expected her to wait on both of them. Finally, my great grandfather and grandfather went out and brought her and her baby home. She was in her early 20’s. She lived to be 90. She never divorced him, never dated, and lived alone for the rest of her life. She married in the church. There was no chance of an annulment. It seemed a pretty grim life to me. I BTW married in the church and have been married for 45 years. We’ve gone through some very difficult times but never considered divorcing.

[@deborahcopping4513]

Thank you Father Casey. I converted to Catholicism when I was married in the US. I did grow up catholic here in Australia and even catholic high school. I assumed my marriage was great. I loved my husband and gave up a lot to come to Ohio. So when he ended it, as I found out later he had been cheating for 2 years. He sent me back to Western Australia. I had been in Ohio for 13 years. I had to rebuild my life over. I found my local parish and was enjoying it. This is until a sermon one Sunday talked about divorce. It was stated that the husband is free but the wife will always be committing adultery. I met with the priest for clarification, and was told this again. I’ve stayed away from the church for 8 years as I was made to feel horrible. My two grandkids are now in the local Catholic primary school. I found your channel and Upon Friar review. It’s definitely been a sign from god to go back to church 🙏 so a very big thank you from Western Australia.

[@whatsup3270]

Something went terribly wrong on two different issues. Its sad the husband left and you now join a huge group of Catholics abandon by the spouse and treated roughly by the Church. Second the communication that marriage treated men different than women is simply wrong. That is not and has never been a catholic teaching rule or law.

[@deborahcopping4513]

@@whatsup3270 what’s worse is the woman he cheated on me was a “mutual” friend. She’s catholic and cheated on her husband. My ex and her announced their engagement 3 weeks after our divorce was finalised. They married 5 months later. He was abusive to me, but I was in love.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Priest needs re-education. And most likely therapy.

[@daytimestudios3678]

I think I have the same catechism! Great resources but it’s little bit hard to understand. I have traumatic brain injury a long time ago but it’s frustrating because I have aphasia. All kinds for this book, catechism! I got it 2022 December for Christmas, our lord and savior!!!! Thank you friar/priest!

[@RobertTLongway]

Just proposed (and she said yes) over the weekend, so this is the wildest video you could have posted today

[@nikki27ish]

Congratulations

[@rosaritamaria4414]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!🎊🎉

[@gray-stans-chihiro]

Good video! I hadn’t considered that divorce without remarriage might not be a sin or incur excommunication. I worry a little that this might confuse separation and “no longer married,” though a charitable interpretation of what people mean by divorce could allow for the former. Keep up the good work!

[@isaksitorus8498]

Dear Father Casey, thank you for this video. God bless you ❤🙏

[@sftrick]

Hmm my great aunt was married for probably 40 years and was always a stay at home mom, when her husband announced that he had a girlfriend and he'd be moving in with her. They never got divorced but I absolutely think they should have. He never filed for divorce because then a judge would have awarded my great aunt 1/2 of his money plus spousal support for the rest of her life. She spent the rest of her life alone and with no money to do anything.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

She should have filed.

[@jacquelinewinter7312]

she still had a right to financial support, could have sued for that even without the divorce

[@andrear7181]

That was her choice. I don´t know if she was catholic, in order to get some justice with the money. Now, even if the get the divorce for finantial reasons, the thing is we can´t get married again.

[@brianfarley926]

My understanding is I can have what is called a secular divorce but under the eyes of God we’re still married and if I want to get married again one should see if the previous marriage can be annulled if it was lacking in some way. When my wife and I got married she had to have her previous marriage annulled and for reasons I won’t go into it fit into that category to be annulled. Once that was done we got married in the Church

[@Noone-rt6pw]

This is very good topic. Modern knowledge of relationships can head off problems before they start. Mother Angelica knew the feeling of walking in on an argument, evidently she was not skilled in relationships! Which the Bible tells us what to do, not how to do it. But we have plenty of knowledge on relationships, social interactions, conflict resolution, etc. Just like eating swine when we have such a huge wide selection to choose from, where it's a choice to eat a pig, not necessity as it was a 1/2 century ago and prior. Same with marriage, family life, etc.

[@annarosales1491]

I live in the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia, divorce is not allowed here, the bill on divorce was shot down in congress a few years back. Annulment is allowed. And I have almost memorised the prerequisites as one of my friends went through and one of my siblings is a lawyer.

[@anthony1776diaz]

Philippines?

[@marvind7807]

My girlfriend and I agreed to get married next year and this video really helped me a lot to understand more about marriage and matrimony. Friends pray for me. Lord Jesus have mercy on me.

[@anthony1776diaz]

Congratulations and Godspeed.

[@steveciccarelli3609]

Decades ago I thought that I could NOT end the marriage BUT if my spouse left I could get an annulment. NOT THAT SIMPLE!!

[@tomnenos9461]

I received my Declaration of Nullity in 1987. My current spouse was also granted an Annulment from her first marriage the same year. We have been remarried in the Catholic Church for 35 years. The process in 1987 was very daunting. Pope Francis has made significant changes to this most misunderstood process in the Catholic Church. In our archdiocese, the Archbishop has told the Metropolitan Tribunal that all cases should be completed within 1 calendar year of their submittal. Thanks for this video, especially the part about receiving the Eucharist and other sacraments.

[@aaronsiebold114]

I am critical of church doublespeak where in the text that prohibits remarriage after divorce also prohibits what God joined together let man not SEPARATE, but the church tolerates separation and “civil divorce”

[@andrear7181]

Separation does not mean divorce. And the Church can´t put at risk the life and health of the innocent spouse and the kids. But you can´t remarry of you are separted.

[@jajuanurisantos2040]

First and love your vids I pray that you grow in wisdom each day and that you may be blessed by the lord every day

[@justanotheryoutubefan8070]

Well done Father. Off topic, will Upon Friar Review ever come back? I miss you and Fr. Patrick!

[@manub.3847]

It is quite interesting that in my country, even a legal marriage can only be annulled for a valid reason. Otherwise there is only the official divorce. For example: -One spouse was unconscious at the time of marriage or had a temporary mental disorder. This can be caused, for example, by heavy alcohol or drug consumption. - At the time of the marriage, one spouse did not know that it was a marriage. -A spouse was fraudulently deceived in order to enter into marriage. If the other spouse had known about this deception, he might not have entered into the marriage. However, this point does not apply to fraudulent financial circumstances. Basically, it is all about serious contagious diseases such as HIV or concealed impotence. -One spouse was forced into marriage by threats. -It was already agreed at the time of marriage that both spouses did not want to pursue their marital obligations. This is what is known as a sham marriage. ** Sounds almost like the rules of the Catholic Church, just more explicit

[@c.m.cordero1772]

There are civil annulments in the US as well.

[@johns1834]

@@c.m.cordero1772 A civil annulment is not the same as an annulment by the Church.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@johns1834 I understand that. Both institutions can annul marriages, though.

[@johns1834]

@@c.m.cordero1772 Suggest you ask a Priest and not guess.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@johns1834 I don’t have to ask a priest. I know. Civil marriages can be annulled under certain circumstances. It’s secular law. Marriages in the Catholic church can be annulled according to church law. Two different things. Don’t know what point you’re trying to make.. I suggest you go see a divorce lawyer and find out for yourself.

[@ramona283]

I never really understood divorce when I was young because where I grew up (the Philippines), divorce does not even exist. There is no law for it. When you're married, you're married forever! Im more familiar with the concept of annulment than divorce.

[@jacquelinewinter7312]

what happens to victims in abusive marriages?

[@andrear7181]

In Chile it was the same til 2004 we passed a a law to get divorced. 20 years later it has been a total disaster, half of married couple end up in a divorce.

[@andrear7181]

@@jacquelinewinter7312 Before the divorce law of 2004, here in Chile you could get legallly separated, and file for child support. But you could not marry again.

[@lukebrown5395]

Amen, great explanation.

[@AnnulmentProof]

If "divorced people are allowed to receive Communion," then it's never unjust because there's never a guilty spouse. Then how can it be a "grave offense" if no party is guilty?

[@RamoneCelso]

Going through one... it's horrible, a sad waste. I'm not the one trying to destroy it and I can get an annulment, for sure... so that's "good"

[@c.m.cordero1772]

I’m sorry you are going through that.

[@kspencerian]

The video's great. A deep dive into the two special exceptions where one or both parties are not baptized--the Pauline and Petrine Privileges--would be a great addendum here.

[@daviddsouza735]

We say its a covenant and with this usually is a blood sacrifice. Im leading to the issue of being virgin when marrying and 8 think the church is missing on something or possibly not telling.

[@Jesusandbible]

Why are you erasing comments about the great division among Catholics over annulments?

[@sammagowen1448]

Is anything considered differently if a person already divorced and remarried by the state and their own knowledge converts to Catholicism? Or if the previous marriage wasn't between two Catholics? Like a Catholic and a Protestant or catholic and atheist

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

If a non-Catholic Christian is married in a Protestant Church, the Catholic Church recognizes it as a valid marriage, meaning that they cannot get divorced and remarried in the Church. The somewhat ironic situation is that if a Catholic gets married in a Protestant Church or civilly married (without permission from the Church) this is considered an invalid marriage, and so getting divorced does not take an annulment and they are free to marry.

[@taurinenrgy]

But in my Bible it says in Matthew 19-9 “unless for fornication” not unlawful. Can someone explain?

[@psychology4psychos]

Father Casey, can you do a video about what this part in the creed means: He will come to judge the living and the dead. I have a catechist friend who thinks this means we'll have two judgments. One personal and one as part of mankind. I don't think that's quite right. Please help us clear this up 😅 many thanks from Phoenix Arizona!

[@whatsup3270]

not 2 judgements for you, one judgement at year death, and a wait until the resurrection when the living (at that time) will be judged but it is their earthly death so really the same judgement just at god's time. Saints ( humans who god accepted at their judgement) will join together then.

[@pikachuuprising637]

One question. Can I as a catholic marry a person who was divorced and whose marriage was only a civil one?

[@whatsup3270]

The non-catholic has to be found free to marry which can be easier via "form" and there is more as in a dispensation for the catholic. So to the local volunteer marriage ministers you go.

[@AnABSOLUTEBarbarian]

4:55 AMEN!

[@gomezjkv]

I’m unable to find the words, “unless the marriage is unlawful”. Where can I find this?

[@johns1834]

Used to be episcopalian, where marriage/divorce/remarriage is just fine, along with homosexuality, and murder/abortion. The episcopal church of today basically completely ignores what the Bible says. Luckily, we found our way to the Catholic Church and are currently in the process of completing our annulments. It is definitely not a simple process and has taken over a year. Our Priest is really GREAT! Yes, we are openly living in sin, do not recieve the Eucharist yet, actually refrain from sexual intimacy, pending the annulments, and hope to be in full communion soon. Please pray for us. We decided to take Mary's advice and simply, "Do whatever He tells you." Thank God for the Catholic Church.

[@NAJALU]

Imagine waiting on an old man in a silly hat to tell you who you can love and under what circumstances?

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Are a man and a woman living together as basically brother and sister “ living in sin”?

[@johns1834]

@@NAJALU Not aware that God wears a silly hat.

[@whatsup3270]

fyi - Living in a Natural State of Marriage outside the Church is not a sin, however you should not receive communion ( it is actually participate in Eucharistic celebrations ). If you live celibate you can complete your other sacraments and take communion.

[@johns1834]

@@whatsup3270 True, no argument there. Marriage outside the Church natural or otherwise is not a sin. Divorce is not a sin either. It is divorce and remarriage that is the sin per Jesus's own words. Mark 10:11 And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” The only way around that is to show the 1st marriage was never a valid union in God's eyes, such as a 'shotgun' marriage' for example, hence the annulment process.

[@user-ub7hm2cg9o]

I am a Catholic, my wife and I have been married for over 12 years. I love her deeply but our marriage has severely declined in recent years. My wife filed for divorce and told her lawyer she is not interested in reconciliation. I am unsure of what to do, only communication is via our attorneys.

[@marktapia8327]

I would suggest there could be a 7th criterion for a valid Catholic marriage… that actually (at least traditionally speaking) takes place after the ceremony… and that is consummation. Or could this be apart of lifelong vows?

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

I think that's probably implied in the part about being open to children. If you never actually attempt or do what's necessary for children, it's not a valid marriage.

[@marktapia8327]

@@BreakingInTheHabit completely fair. That makes sense.

[@whatsup3270]

@@BreakingInTheHabit maybe a "Pauline Marriage" review

[@owenfulkerson7291]

If you read JPII’s theology of the body, a point he makes again and again is that marriage is a full gift of oneself to their spouse. In order for it to be a full gift, you must give your body in the conjugal act. This of course helps show that you have become one flesh. I would definitely agree that consummation is part of the marriage and you are not fully married until the act is done

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@BreakingInTheHabit if you’re both 70 that will likely not be an issue. I think the marriage is still valid.

[@lemonprime7889]

Sorry Fr. Casey Cole, but I'd like to have a bit of fun with this one. What about if, a person divorces, and then remarries, but the marriage is a "Josephine" (i.e. virginal) marriage? What if they marry, but choose to never consummate it, living instead like brother and sister? Would the remarriage still be sinful?

[@awesomelipe8396]

Thank you father.

[@TruthLivesNow]

Some will use this Scripture regarding marriage: New American Standard Bible Yet if the unbelieving one is leaving, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. 1 Cor. 7:15. This verse can be interpreted that adultery is grounds for divorce, and that one can remarry. The problem is that the Church of the LORD Jesus Christ is not taking marriage seriously or working things out, not enough communication or patience. I have been married 38 years.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

St. Paul is not talking about adultery here (unfaithfulness to the spouse) but rather unbelief (unfaithfulness to God.) For this reason, the Church has what is referred to as the Pauline privilege: an annulment of a marriage if it occurred before the spouses were baptized. If one remains unbaptized, the baptized on can leave the marriage rather than stay with a non-Christian.

[@TruthLivesNow]

@@BreakingInTheHabit I was thinking of this verse with Matthew 19:9. What I have a real problem with is Christians immediately going to Divorce. What we need to do as married people is to strongly state, “No, Divorce is not an option!” That is what I have done!!

[@m_d1905]

​@@TruthLivesNow What is difficult is when you were married in the Church yet your spouse never remained faithful (basically cheated the whole marriage), mental, emotional, physical abuse and I did try to work it out for 20 years. Does God really expect women to remain chained to that horror for the rest of her life? Usually they would say separate but not divorce. That leaves the woman alone for the rest of their life with no option for marital happiness and a real covenant marriage all for one mistake. Especially when she upheld the covenant but he did not.

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

@@BreakingInTheHabita repeated pattern of abuse is definitely a sign of unbelief, despite “being baptized as a baby”.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

My parents’ marriage was a sin. We all suffered from the commission of it.

[@whatsup3270]

maybe the actions of your parents were the root problem.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@whatsup3270 their actions were definitely the root problem.

[@angelosusa4258]

I’m Catholic and not married but I feel the only time a marriage should be annulled is from adultery or unfaithfulness also I feel some couples divorce because they aren’t ready for marriage life, divorce is harsh on men a relative of mine is divorced while the former wife doesn’t need to pay child support. Ridiculous

[@sammig.8286]

Annulment also make sense if two people didn't realize they were closely related when they got married. If a marriage is incestuous, then it should be declared null. Another reason would be if one person was forced into the marriage unwillingly. If they didn't freely consent, it was not a valid marriage.

[@rosaritamaria4414]

Let’s add abuse and addiction

[@manuelvargas467]

Thanks father ✝️🙏🛐

[@stevekopcial129]

My wife had a 2 and a half year affair,during our separation she became Catholic, after our divorce she married her boyfriend, Does God recognize the marriage?

[@rickdockery9620]

We take marriage extremely seriously in the LCMS church. No annulments. Just what the Bible teaches. I worked for the judicial vicar in college and rubber stamped annulments. I wouldn’t say the church takes it overly serious. It does depend on your diocese though. Just simpler to follow scripture in my opinion

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

Wow. Legalism is definitely not “easier”. You know what is easier? Common sense.

[@shelbysteverson4841]

So what if the girl I want to marry was married once, but left her husband on the grounds that he refused to give up drug abuse, lied, and mentally and verbally abused her? They were never catholic, but their marriage was still a religious one. Is she eligible for annulment?

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

If you have to even ask such a thing…you are definitely in a highly legalistic church. Obviously that marriage is invalid. The fact that the RCC makes you jump through legalistic hoops to “prove” it is ridiculous.

[@Danny-nd1hh]

I am Protestant. I am currently married. I was married twice before. I was married thru a justice of the peace the first 2 times. Which were short. I am married to my third wife. We were married through our pastor and church. My question is. If I was thinking of changing to become Catholic. Will there be a major issue to achieve that?

[@PedanticAntics]

My devout catholic grandmother divorced her cheating, abusive husband when he refused to stop sleeping with other women. _The church excommunicated her for it._

[@whatsup3270]

99% of the time the word "excommunication" is used incorrectly. Nothing in that post would qualify for a review on excommunication.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

I'm sorry to hear about this situation as it is seems like there was a lot of trauma and then misunderstanding stacked upon it. The Church does not excommunicate for this, and it never has. As I said in the video, she has no right to remarry, but leaving that relationship is supported by the law of the Church. (And frankly, it's situations like these that inspired me to make this video. There is so much misunderstanding.)

[@whatsup3270]

I would encourage you to read a newer comment by maximillianmadrigal6661 whose question and answer would likely help understand your grandmothers condition.

[@PedanticAntics]

@BreakingInTheHabit Then it would seem somebody in a position of authority in her church had grossly misinformed her.

[@faithoverfear1722]

I am a convert and remarried my husband in 2019. We married at our baptist church and about two years later in 2021 became Catholic. He has had a mental breakdown at the begging of this year and ended up in jail. I waited fpr him to get out woth the hopes that we could figure out how to make our family work. He got out and is still very much out of his mind. He is not the same person he was. To make matters worse he is very angry at me and tells me we are not married. Right now i am worried for the safety of my boys because we do not know what je would do if he saw us. I have thought about divorce just so that I could have a custody agreement in place until he is willing to seek help. But I was not sure if that is allowed.

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

“Allowed”. Do you hear yourself? You and your children’s safety is at stake and you’re worried about legalism? Consider what Jesus thought and said about the legalism of the religious leaders of his time. And apply that to today. Jesus is not a fan of legalism. He is concerned about the fact that you’re throwing your precious life away. You’re not a martyr. You’re an enabler of sin. Leave that marriage immediately.

[@gypsydonovan]

My husband was raised in another faith, married & divorced before we met. It’s my first marriage. His ex has since passed away. Is he divorced or widowed or both? As a widower, is his marriage to me valid or would we have to remarry after her passing? Does it matter if he’s converted to Catholicism ? I actually have a lot of thoughts & questions about marriage. Including lack of children. We tried for years & we’re unable to conceive. I know procreation is not a singular reason for marriage, otherwise partnerships could theoretically be devolved at menopause but it is important. Children were something we both always wanted and we’ve raised my niece & fostered two other kids to “fill the void”. But really my question is if he might not be able to marry despite civil divorce until his first wife dies? Would that make the marriage valid or do vows need to be renewed? Does he remain connected to his first wife in the next stage? When he passes which of us would welcome him? In his former faith, he’s clearly locked into his first marriage forever. Death doesn’t part them.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

All of these questions can be easily answered in your interview with the priest or marriage counselor at the Church, but in general, marriage only lasts until death. If his previous wife died, he is no longer married, regardless of the circumstances.

[@joejackson6205]

I would add, if you two married before the first wife died, then she did die, through no fault of his, then you two should consider a sacramental marriage.

[@rmdodsonbills]

@@joejackson6205 This scenario applied to a couple I knew in my hometown and as I understand it, as soon as her first husband finally passed away they both hurried to the sacraments with all due haste.

[@whatsup3270]

@@joejackson6205 Free to marry is the standard, once he became a widow assuming no other marriages he would be free to marry.

[@whatsup3270]

Marriages are Temporal ( only during earthly life)

[@barbarabarb.manolache4376]

If I'm correct, my conclusion is that since I am divorced and remarried outside the Church, I am not longer allowed to be a member of the Catholic Church. Is this correct? So no point in following these videos I guess!

[@englishpackers-fan7026]

I was due to become a Catholic at the Easter vigil. Right at the end of RCIA i let it slip that my wife had been married and divorced before i met and married her. This seems to have been a deal breaker.

[@daviddsouza735]

Sorry to hear. Why and what happens next?

[@englishpackers-fan7026]

​@daviddsouza735 its turned out to not be as bad as it first seemed. I still got baptised, just not confirmed until my wife's first marraige gets annulled and we get remarried in church. It is a strong contender for annulment as neither her nor her first husband are baptised, they were very young, it was a secular wedding so not before god and they had no children, so it wasnt a covenant with god for the procreation and education of offspring.

[@JojoFlojo]

And they control my destiny

[@noni-ayannaroach8180]

This sacrament is leading me back to the Church. (Raised protestant and it is not honored much )

[@AnnulmentProof]

How is marriage leading you back to the Church?

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

There’s a huge difference between the two extremes of not honoring the commitment of marriage and the other extreme of seeing it as so permanent that you must accept abuse. To accept abuse is to enable and encourage the sin of the abuser. This is another legalistic extreme.

[@AnnulmentProof]

@@Michellesvintagelibrary 100% of marriages are permanent. The church has due separation process (c 1151-55 and 1692-96). Every spouse who files for divorce is guilty until proven innocent.

[@stotle1109]

So if a Catholic only had a civil marriage & divorced & a later point time, wanted to marry for a second time & this time go through the Catholic process is that okay & would it be considered a first time marriage for the divorced person?

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

To be clear, it wouldn't be "okay." The first marriage would be invalid, meaning they would not be able to receive communion or other sacraments until reconciled. Once that happened, they would be able to get married in the Church "again" because the first one wouldn't have been acknowledged.

[@stotle1109]

@@BreakingInTheHabit thank you for your reply. Question for myself, if I may. My wife & I had a civil wedding back in 1994 & renewed our vows in the Catholic Church six years after. In the eyes of the church, have my wife & I only been married 24 years then?

[@whatsup3270]

@@stotle1109 There were many issues not in the post as previous marriages to others. However under the assumption it was only the 2 of you it would not matter in regard to time. First there is a Natural Marriage present between you two which is longer in time, second the actual sacrament is conferred on each other and the Priest is a witness to a licit ceremony. So the sacrament date is just that. FYI if you request a radical sanation they can acknowledge your marriage from when it occurred, if you request a convalidation it is acknowledged as a married couple applying for a sacrament ( at this date ) Clarification: my post refers to the second post not so much the original post. In the original post there are known other issues as was the catholic , catholic before any marriages or only later after the divorce, and the number of married people which appears to be above two. In the original post there could easily be validity and lucidity conditions

[@heartofpuregold]

​​@@BreakingInTheHabit this is correct there is another term for it, where the marriage was a civil marriage a legal marriage but broke down due to one of the criteria of divorce, abuse, abondonment and adultery. If one of the spouse is catholic and the other is not and they were not married before the priest the church doesnt recognise the marriage in the same way. So if it were a legal marriage by civil union youd still need to follow laws of land with still a valid biblical reason for divorce. You would still need to reconcile to the church as catholic and you would need to ask the churches permission to remarry which in these cases they allow. It isnt adultery. So this backs up the catholic teaching. Children of the union are considered holy and legitimate as well. Just like Jesus taught. They were born in marriage which unfortunately broke down. Thank you for this God bless You.

[@rethinkcps2116]

Pre Cana is *not* six months. It was a two-night weekend. Then a 20-min. meeting with a priest. Done -

[@emmamcclellan8272]

If your parish doesn't take Pre Cana seriously, if the pastor doesn't require multiple meetings to discuss important topics, do marriage prep at a different parish. If you're already married but feel you missed out, many parishes have a First 5 ministry to support couples in their early years of marriage.

[@ava___maria]

my legal spouse is estranged 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I've lived as a widow for years. I wasn't sure the commitment of marriage but I guess I can't get out of it until somebody dies

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Seek an annulment if you want.

[@ava___maria]

@@c.m.cordero1772 I might try. there's no time limit for annulments in that state. thing is, the marriage wouldn't have even been valid in the church. as I've just recently been accepted by a Catholic church (not baptized yet, I have to take classes).... and many years before this, we eloped at a courthouse as non believers. 😅

[@whatsup3270]

@@ava___maria improper form maybe a helpful term

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@ava___maria oh, you mean a civil annulment…might be worth looking into depending on circumstances. But your marriage would be considered valid if you weren’t Catholic and married at the courthouse. Civil marriage would be considered valid unless there were other circumstances. You obviously wouldn’t be marrying in a church of any sort as non-believers. Maybe the Pauline privilege applies here, however?

[@ava___maria]

he refused to have children and I was abandoned so I'm sure the church would reason the marriage wasn't valid since he didn't take the marriage very seriously. and years later I had a child out of wedlock 😅

[@shawn6157]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@nunyabiz6925]

My ex is on wife#4 so he isn’t interested in an annulment so i dont take communion and left the Church.

[@whatsup3270]

you are in a big, really big club.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

You can get an annulment. If he doesn’t respond it will go forward on your testimony. Just like with a divorce. Plenty of people seeking an annulment get zip from their former spouses.

[@conorolaf1762]

If a husband is missing and presumed dead and declared legally so,is the wife free to marry? If so what would happen if the original husband reappeared?

[@josephedward7534]

If the husband is presumed dead, she is free to marry again. I don't know if the Catholic Church has an official stance of what would happen of the first husband reappeared. Most likely, her second marriage would be considered null and void.

[@whatsup3270]

Who presumed him dead? it kind of matters. If through no fault of her own she was misled there could be no sin. One big issue was did he deceive her which alone could be grounds for annulment.

[@helpimadog-playthroughs5956]

Probably grounds for an annulment of the second marriage, I don’t think it’s a sin though.

[@cathybishop2916]

Where did upon friar review go???????

[@officialmycrazyamericanfat7811]

Very in depth explanation. Is there anything special you'd have to do if a widow wishes to remarry?

[@CLCSIfreak]

The marriage covenant ends with the death of one spouse, so the widow would be able to marry again, as their marriage ended with their spouse’s death.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Provide a death certificate.

[@TonyOmila7x]

AMEN.

[@user-ub7hm2cg9o]

My wife of 12 years recently filed for divorce. We were married through the Church. She's only communicating via her attorney and we no longer live together. I love her deeply, but her attorney has stated that she is not open to reconciliation.

[@andrear7181]

I am sorry to hear that. Pray for her, so that she will change her mind. Pray for you so that God will help you to be a faithfull husband. Don´t take your wedding ring off.

[@user-ub7hm2cg9o]

@@andrear7181 She was arrested for hitting me in front of our kids. Her Mom also hit me and was arrested the same day. Now, we have a custody battle and my wife no longer wishes to continue this marriage. She reaffirmed through her lawyer that she wishes to be divorced. I am not sure there is any possibility of reconciliation but I do hold onto a little bit of hope.

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

@@andrear7181Prayer and hope for reconciliation is foolish if someone is physically violent towards you. You’re only encouraging them to sin. It’s completely unacceptable behavior and he should make that crystal clear to her by leaving the marriage, not hoping for reconciliation. People who are violent do not change. It’s a pattern that they keep doing it. The church needs to come out of the Middle Ages and understand psychology.

[@user-ub7hm2cg9o]

@@Michellesvintagelibrary I completely agree that it is unacceptable that my wife has been physically violent towards me, I pray she gets treatment, lots of therapy, and addresses the underlining psychological conditions that led to the violence. Only then would I be open to reconciliation. She's a good woman that needs to face her demons. I saw her today when we did a children exchange. In front of her, my son asked me if I loved her, I said yes. He then asked her to hug me, she complied. My younger daughter asked her to say hello to my eldest daughter (her step daughter) and she did.

[@westernspy9786]

Whenever I struggle with my relationship I go back to Isaiah 44. Gd is one

[@jacquelinewinter7312]

There is no justification in scripture for declaring marriage a sacrament. But if you don't TREAT it like one every day you are heading for trouble.

[@Bobster986]

What if you were married by the justice of the peace? Is this only civil or is there a covenant?

[@whatsup3270]

Catholics have two options 1) traditional marriage in the Church, 2) lesser and discouraged dispensation by the Bishop to marry outside the Church(non-sacramental). In no cases can a marriage outside the Church be a sacrament at that time, there is a procedure to later have that marriage recognized ( Radical Sanation ) or more commonly have then marriage union raised to a sacrament ( Convalidation).

[@deuel1415]

I have a few questions 1) If a married couple who was deemed annulled had children, would they have committed fornication? 2) marriage is for procreation, but can't it be for plain love too? Not saying that married couples shouldn't have children, since that's God's command, but i find it hard to understand why condoms are considered as a sin. I understand it does stop a life from coming into existence, but what if the couple cannot afford to have children, or if they already have children and aren't ready for another one?

[@whatsup3270]

1) No they are children of a nonsacramental marriage or attempted marriage. 2) Marriage is taught to have 2 primary conditions 1) Unity, and 2) Procreation Condoms are not related to marriage, condoms are an issue in abuse of self and others by deceiving the act procreation. that is a controversial subject. Money is never a driver for moral actions. A poor American likely lives better than 99% of all humans ever.

[@owenfulkerson7291]

1) I would think that if the children where had before either spouse suspected there could be grounds for an annulment it would be ok. If you believe you are married properly then how can you sin while acting normally for a married person? 2) like the reply above me said, the conjugal act has two ends a unitive and procreative end. Condoms destroy the procreative end and since they are a physical barrier, stop the unitive end as well. The unitive and pro creative ends can never be separated, which is why other forms of birth control are also not ok.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Marriage past menopause is obviously not for procreation. Still valid.

[@richardmagale8405]

hey...yeah I'm glad I can still receive the Eucharist. Divorce ain't fun

[@philfrank5601]

My version of the Good News Bible shows the Matthew passage as spoken by Jesus that only if the wife was unfaithful...not the marriage, as Fr Casey says. It seems clear what he said, but when did the Church decide to include both persons, ie, the unfaithful husband?

[@whatsup3270]

They did not decide to include him, and my what a can of worms you are opening. ( I love it )

[@philfrank5601]

​​@@whatsup3270'm not asking to create controversy, and I think there is an acceptable answer. It makes sense to me, and is fair for both to be accountable to the same standard.

[@dashriprock5720]

Did I mis something? Didn't Jesus say one cannot divorce except for fornication? So, if one spouse has been cheated on and gets divorced, that person cannot remarry?

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Matthew 5:32: "But I say to you, whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." The exception given for divorce is not fornication but unlawful marriage. In other words, if the marriage wasn't legal to begin with. If the marriage was legal, there is no grounds for divorce and remarriage.

[@AnnulmentProof]

​@@BreakingInTheHabitall marriage is considered legal until proven otherwise (c 1060), therefore how can *any* sinless divorce occur pre-annulment?

[@JojoFlojo]

They have control over my life

[@johannesbrolinson5006]

If there never was a marriage the children must be considered bastards, it's basic logic, and if you are arguing against that you are arguing against reality itself.

[@AnnulmentProof]

There was a putative marriage...

[@ARTCreationsOfficial]

What if One Spouse dies and other one remarries then is it a sin?

[@sftrick]

No

[@helpimadog-playthroughs5956]

Of course not. Till death do us part after all.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

No. Death ends the bond.

[@healhands5760]

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” please help me with this one. did Jesus allowed divorce when one is caught in immorality?

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

OBVIOUSLY

[@Hbbt82]

I thought you also got an annulment if you were the one that got cheated on.

[@whatsup3270]

Annulments and cheating are not tied together, adultery which causes pain and injury are to be overcome by the married couple. Obviously extended adultery would be a sign of invalid consent as it is counter to the pledge made when the marriage occurred. However it is the sign of an invalid pledge which matters.

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

If someone cheats once…they done for. Bye.

[@donaldbush1182]

My dad always asked why the people that made up the rules about marriage, don’t get married.

[@donaldbush1182]

@@geoffreyk6229 how many wives did your god have then?

[@donaldbush1182]

@@geoffreyk6229 I think you made my point!

[@whatsup3270]

@@donaldbush1182 Why do you think 1) God is male, and 2) God has a temporal life?

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Rules about marriage were formulated by lots of people over the years. People who wrote scripture were not necessarily unwed. We don’t know who most of them were. The Eastern church has marriage as a sacrament, too…and married clergy. Even the western church had married clergy until about 1000 years ago.

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

I never even thought of that one. 🤔 Excellent question. I think celibacy is fine, but extremely restrictive and legalistic rules about marriage should not be formulated by celibate people. (Or by anyone to be honest. Legalism is harmful).

[@neil-is4oo]

Only God knows things.The "Serpent" said you would become like God "Knowing" Good and Evil. We do not know anything, we are made to believe, we as people only believe we know what "know"even means. Seeing is believing.

[@michelejones5538]

If marriage is a sign of God’s love then my first marriage most definitely was not of God, unless God hates us and finds pleasure in abusing us. I knew I had a choice, either kill myself or divorce my abusive husband. I chose divorce. Killing myself would hurt my two boys and my parents, so I chose divorce. Now I am not Catholic because of all this. But at least I am still alive. There are other churches out there so I am Baptist now. God is happy with this.

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

What a testimony. Thank you for sharing this. I too left an abusive marriage. I was absolutely clueless when I got married. There’s literally no way that God brought us together. That would mean that God was not good. Because there was nothing good about the marriage. The Catholic Church is way too legalistic about this sort of thing. And they don’t even take modern science and psychology into account with their teachings.

[@raijinrasetsuii8820]

Declaration OF NULLITY OF MARRIAGE. It was void from the start

[@John_811KJV]

*Remarriage after Divorce while 1st Spouse Lives = Adultery* Romans 7:2-3 Adulterers Do Not Inherit the Kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Unless they Confess and Forsake: Proverbs 28:13; Luke 13:3

[@Youdontknowwhatliterallymeans]

Is it OK for my nephew/Godson to marry a secular Jew?

[@whatsup3270]

The catholic has to get a dispensation first. And it may be allowed but not sacramental.

[@helpimadog-playthroughs5956]

Father Casey actually has a video on the topic that of whether or not a Catholic can marry a non Catholic. I recommend you check it out.

[@lynettem256]

If you were not married in the catholic church I dont see why you have to live a life of celibacy. Legal marriage is basically not a marriage at all in the catholic church. There was no sacrament there. Ask a priest.

[@henkaistudio]

For all the people that said Catholic and Roman Catholic being one and the same I say this they are not one and the same I would rather say they are the same but a little different from each other so I consider it to be two different versions of the same religion just like Mormon and Fundamentalist Mormon being considered two different versions of the same religion.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

This is not correct. Roman Catholicism is the dominant Rite in of the Western Church, of which there are 23 rites in communion with each other. There is no such thing as plain “Catholic.” I’m guessing every Catholic you’ve ever met was Roman Catholic.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@BreakingInTheHabit part of my family line is Byzantine. Makes for interesting conversation.

[@henkaistudio]

@@BreakingInTheHabit Casey I know about that and no one said it wasn’t I just think it’s something else like with what it is and what they do and everything. No a lot of Catholics that I met call themselves Catholics but not Roman Catholics and also did you know not that not all Catholic Priests do the exact the same thing like for example there was one Catholic priest who called himself more than just Father but also a Pastor as well I find that to be very rare for a Catholic Priest to call himself a pastor normally you wouldn’t hear that. Not all Catholics read the same Catholic Bible and throughout my life I met Catholics that read The KJV of The Bible but when I explained this to Roman Catholics they think it’s weird or that they assume that those Catholics are Protestants when they are not and to tell you the truth religion won’t save you Jesus is the one who will save you.

[@henkaistudio]

@@c.m.cordero1772 Wow that’s very interesting right there but family members I had in my life were Catholic as well but not like the ones you have. But there are so many different rites I find it quite fascinating.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

@@henkaistudio oh, I have Catholic family members across the spectrum. Plus more than one rite. Plus Protestants. Plus Muslims. Plus followers of other faiths. It is interesting.

[@legacyandlegend]

What if you commit adultery and your spouse divorces you and gets remarried. Then you get remarried to someone never married before. Are both of you in eternal adultery and going to hell?

[@whatsup3270]

after the initial marriage both parties separately ( with joint commitments to the Church) have to obtain a state of "free to marry" before proceeding.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Infidelity does not dissolve a marriage, as nothing can dissolve it. Either there was no marriage to begin with or both parties are committing adultery.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Nobody knows who is going to hell.

[@Michellesvintagelibrary]

@@BreakingInTheHabitIf we apply common sense, instead of legalistic nonsense, then infidelity, abuse, and abandonment would be grounds for dissolution of marriage. No need to “prove” it. It’s between the person and God. No need for a tribunal or witnesses or quasi-governmental church “laws” to decide the matter. It’s this level of absurdity and legalism that keeps me away from Catholicism. Jesus would not approve of this level of legalism. He had some choice words for religious authorities that tried to strain a gnat.

[@AnnulmentProof]

The American bishops take feminism seriously.. Love wins.

[@kevinpatino2878]

I looked up the Matthew passage in different versions and in the original Greek and nowhere does it say “unless it is unlawful”. Rather it says that unfaithfulness is the only grounds for divorce. Whoever added that extra phrase in parentheses was probably looking for an excuse to allow divorce. Jesus didn’t say it and it is a grave sin to add words to the Holy Scriptures

[@emmamcclellan8272]

The word Matthew uses (porneia) is not the usual Greek term for adultery (moicheia). In 1 Corinthians 5:1, Paul applies the word porneia to the case of a man who has married his stepmother. Matthew likewise is describing an unlawful or incestuous marriage, the kinds forbidden by Leviticus 18.

[@kevinpatino2878]

@@emmamcclellan8272 Great insight. I had not seen it that way but you are correct. It goes to confirm that only sexual immorality as defined by the Bible is grounds of divorce. All other excuses are man made and an abomination to God. If the church sees fit to marry them in the first place but subsequently finds the marriage "unlawful" then the church is in the wrong and that is a slippery slope because how many other things have they been wrong about? Also the standards for a "lawful" marriage don't seem to be coming from anywhere in the bible (at least it wasn't shown in the video) so are they standards of men?

[@emmamcclellan8272]

@@kevinpatino2878 Catholic marriage results from four elements: (1) the spouses are free to marry (not already married to someone else); (2) they freely exchange their consent, not out of fear or pressure; (3) in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to children; and (4) their consent is given in the canonical form, i.e., in the presence of two witnesses.

[@watcherwlc53]

It's the not remarrying which is so unreasonable. Partners separate never to see each other again, which indeed may be for the best, but are not free to find love again and have a marriage and a full and happy life.

[@whatsup3270]

If the "two become one" how many times can that happen, is the real issue that on the first attempt the two did not become one?

[@watcherwlc53]

@@whatsup3270 two become one, then no longer one. i don't know if they've determined some upper count.

[@gracek8859]

What if a woman can't have children? Is she not allowed to marry because she can't procreate?

[@mdlamb2955]

She can get married in the church. Infertility does not preclude couples from getting married.

[@c.m.cordero1772]

Plenty of older couples get married. They aren’t going to procreate.