Overview

The loss of a relationship through death or divorce can be one of life’s most traumatic times. The Office of Laity & Family Life recognizes that rebuilding one’s life after such a loss can be emotionally, physically and spiritually draining. It is normal to experience a wide range of feelings- including anger, fear and even doubts about God and God’s plan for your future.

It is in keeping with the following US Bishops’ 1994 pastoral message to families, entitled Follow the Way of Love, that we offer support through a variety of spiritual and educational resources, programs and a network of trained peer support groups.

"Divorced and widowed persons: relationships and circumstances within your family may have changed, but God’s love for you is ever present and does not come to an end. Grasp the hands of those who reach out to you in loving concern. Extend your own hand to others whom you meet on the road to healing and reconciliation. There is a home for you within our parishes and communities of faith."

Please know that being divorced does not "excommunicate" someone from the Catholic Church.

Divorced Catholics who have not remarried outside of the Church, that is, without an annulment, may still receive the sacraments, including Eucharist and Reconciliation. The Church encourages and helps them to be faithful to the sacrament of their marriage.

Divorced and Remarried Outside of the Church

Let these men and women know that the Church loves them, that she is not far from them and suffers because of their situation. The divorced and remarried are and remain her members, because they have received Baptism and retain their Christian faith (Blessed John Paul's Address to the Pontifical Council for the Family, Jan. 24, 1997).

Since their ongoing state in life is not in accord with the unity of the Church brought about by the Eucharist, Catholics who are divorced and remarried outside of the Church cannot be admitted to receive the sacraments of communion or reconciliation. However, the Church, who sees their suffering and the serious difficulties, welcomes them with open arms to pray, experience spiritual healing and to participate in liturgical celebrations.

For more information, click:

Blessed John Paul’s Address to the Pontifical Council for the Family, Jan. 24, 1997

Pontifical Council for the Family’s The Pastoral Care of the Divorced and Remarried