Divorce and re-marriage

Key Idea: Most Christian churches regard divorce as a last resort - only when all else has failed

This century there has been a decline in first marriages and an increase in second marriages. There has also been a major rise in the divorce rate.

Many reasons are giving to explain the break down of marriages but one factor is that divorce has become accepted by society in a way that it was not a generation ago.

In 1971 the divorce reform act allowed a couple to divorce on the grounds of adultery, cruelty, desertion for at least 2 years, mutual consent (after 2 years), or if one person only wants a divorce after 5 years.

The 1984 Matrimonial and Family proceedings act allowed divorce after one year of marriage.

In 1995 Lord Mackay introduced a white paper removing the need for "fault" in a marriage, but compelling couples to spend a year in meditation and encouraging them to negotiate either a reconciliation or a mutually agreeable separation.

A Christian response

The Christian ideal is that marriage is a lifelong commitment,

"No human being must separate what God has joined together" [Mark 10:9]
"I tell you, then, that any man who divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, commits adultery if he marries some other woman" [Matthew 19:9]

However the church realises that some relationships do break down for various reasons and that while not desirable divorce should take place. They take the view that if the marriage becomes destructive, such as when there is abuse, it is not in the best interest of those involved for it to continue.

The exception to this is the Roman Catholic church which does not accept that the religious marriage can end, though they accept that the couple may go through a legal divorce. In very rare cases a marriage may be annulled:

• If the marriage has not been consummated (no sex)
• If one partner had been forced to marry
• If one partner can't meet the requirements of marriage
• If one partner was not baptised a Catholic

The other churches will allow couple to remarry though they may be reluctant to carry out the remarriage.

Remarriage

If a person is to marry again they should seriously consider why the first marriage broke down. They need to be aware that if they marry again they may face the same problems. More second marriages end in divorce than first ones.

See also: Marriage