The sacrament of Matrimony is a very powerful one in the Catholic Church. Though received by many, priests are not allowed to receive it because they devote their life to God. In the sacramental union of husband and wife we discover also the union of Christ and his Church as well as the union of the Father and the Son—each union sealed by the Holy Spirit. And since the union of husband and wife shares in the union of God, it is one and indissoluble. Jesus says: “What God has joined together let no man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). Since this union is sacramental, grace is given. The married life, although at times very difficult, is not impossible. The Church cherishes a very high and precious view of marriage, but it is not a falsely idealistic or quixotic teaching. What we believe about marriage reflects what we believe about the power and presence of Christ in our life.
Divorce within the Catholic Church is very complicated. If you have not remarried and are properly disposed, you can receive the sacraments of Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance or Anointing of the Sick. A declaration of nullity, sometimes called an annulment, says that you are free to marry within the Church or that an existing marriage can be regularized. Declarations of nullity do not render children illegitimate because the Church presumes that the bride and groom married in good faith—even if that marriage is later declared null. All in all, obtaining a legal divorce in the Catholic Church can be proven to be very difficult.
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