Why doesn’t the Catholic Church believe in divorce?
The answer to this question has to do with the difference between a civil marriage and a sacrament. A civil marriage is one recognized by the government. This is what your marriage license reflects.
When baptized persons state their vows in church before a priest and witnesses it becomes a sacrament. A sacrament cannot be revoked. So, if you have been married in the Catholic Church and later receive a civil divorce, in the eyes of the Church you are still married.
To have your sacramental marriage considered null, you must obtain an annulment.
What is an annulment? How do I get one?
An annulment is a process where by the courtship and marriage are reviewed to determine if there was ever a valid marriage in the first place in the eyes of the Church. There are many reasons why a marriage can be considered invalid. The process can take quite some time so we encourage the person seeking an annulment to begin the process as soon as possible. If you wish to discuss an annulment, contact one of our priests at the Parish Office.
I’ve heard that getting an annulment makes your children illegitimate. Is that true?
No. An annulment means that there was not sufficient reason to consider a sacramental marriage to have taken place. Children from an annulled marriage are considered legitimate because the marriage was also a civil marriage and therefore legitimate in the eyes of the law.
What is the difference between a sacramental marriage and a civil marriage?
Any couple planning to marry in the State of Maine must obtain a marriage license from the town or city office. This is a legal document signed by the person officiating at the wedding. In the case of a marriage taking place in the Catholic Church, this person is the priest. The priest’s signature on the marriage license makes the marriage a civil marriage.
A marriage that takes place in a Catholic Church, where the bride and groom are baptized Catholics, and is officiated by a Catholic priest is a sacramental marriage. These baptized persons receive the sacrament of marriage.
My fiancé is not Catholic. Can we still get married in the Catholic Church?
Yes. Special permission is needed for this but is usually granted without difficulty. The Catholic party must promise to do all in his/her power to raise their children in the Catholic faith.
I was not Confirmed. Can I still get married in the Catholic Church?
Yes, but we would like to help you receive the sacrament of Confirmation prior to your marriage. Please speak to the priest preparing your for your marriage for more information about how to begin the Confirmation process.
I’m a divorced Catholic. Can I still receive Communion?
Yes, as long as you have not remarried without your first marriage being annulled. The Catholic Church does not recognize civil divorce so in the eyes of the Church you are still married. If you re-marry without your first marriage being annulled, you will be considered by the Church as engaging in adultery. This makes a person ineligible to receive the Eucharist.
I’m a divorced Catholic and want to remarry. What should I do?
You should contact our priest at the Parish Office for an appointment. You will need to bring a copy of your baptismal certificate, marriage certificate and divorce decree. During your appointment, we will determine how to move forward with your annulment process.