Roman Catholic Church and Re-Marriage
The RC Church only allow re-marriage in church if:
- death has ended the previous marriage(s), or
- an annulment has been granted for the first marriage.
If this is not the case, any second marriage is seen as adultery.
RC Church does not accept civil divorce, so Catholics who have remarried while their first husband or wife is still alive are discouraged from receiving the Eucharist.
Church of England and the Methodist Church:
Re-marriage in church is often allowed, but is not automatic. The vicar or minister decides whether the couple takes Christian marriage seriously enough.
On 9 July 2002, the General Synod in an historic vote agreed a way forward on the vexed question of further marriage in church after divorce by supporting the following motion by 269 votes to 83:
"That this Synod
- affirm, in accordance with the doctrine of the Church of England as set out in Canon B30, that marriage should always be undertaken as a "solemn, public and life-long covenant between a man and a woman";
- recognise (i) that some marriages regrettably do fail and that the Church's care for couples in that situation should be of paramount importance; and (ii) that there are exceptional circumstances in which a divorced person may be married in church during the lifetime of a former spouse;
- recognise that the decision as to whether or not to solemnise such a marriage in church after divorce rests with the minister (or officiating cleric if the minister is prepared to allow his/her church or chapel to be used for this marriage
If a previous partner has died, a person is free to remarry in church without question.
“The Lichfield Report” : Marriage after Divorce
1979 Church of England report “Marriage and the Church’s Task” summarised the arguments for and against remarriage of divorced people in church:
For Remarriage:Although marriage is for life, there is no denying the fact of marriage breakdown. All people should have the opportunity of a church wedding. Jesus taught forgiveness. Not to allow remarriage in church is not in keeping with this. Jesus taught the most important quality was love. Not allowing people to re-marry is denying them the chance to feel love and raise a loving family. Re-marriage means new families, which must be good. The Church should encourage as many people as possible to marry, not put them off! |
Against Remarriage:Church should uphold Christ’s teaching on marriage, so should not allow remarriage after divorce. Divorce breaks eternal marriage vows / promises , e.g. “Till death us do part.” Divorce makes a mockery of Jesus’ teaching and the wedding vows. |
