Answer: It depends on the type of Christian you ask.

Theological Traditions Included: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Non-Calvinist Protestant, Calvinist Protestant, Progressive

The Catholic Church does not recognize divorce as valid, but allows for annulment in cases where the marriage was invalid from the beginning. Remarriage is not permitted without an annulment.
Calvinist and Non-Calvinist Protestants generally permit divorce in cases of adultery or desertion, seeing it as a last resort. Remarriage is allowed after a valid divorce, with an emphasis on seeking God's guidance.
The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes that divorce may be necessary in certain situations, but sees it as a tragic result of human sin. A second marriage is allowed as an act of mercy.
Progressive Christians tend to have a more permissive view of divorce, particularly in cases of abuse, infidelity, or irreconcilable differences. They are generally more open to remarriage, emphasizing grace and new beginnings.
All five traditions emphasize the importance of providing pastoral care, support, and guidance to those who are struggling in their marriages or have experienced divorce, with varying approaches to reconciliation, annulment, and remarriage.

The Catholic position on the issue of divorce got my attention. I’ve been working on understanding the implications of annulment for awhile now.

Justin Bailey – Creator of ChristianAnswers.ai

Quick Comparison

Tradition	Permissibility of Divorce	Remarriage	Pastoral Care and Support
Catholic	Not recognized, annulment possible	Not permitted without annulment	Encouragement of reconciliation, support through annulment process
Calvinist Protestant	Permitted in cases of adultery or desertion	Allowed after valid divorce, with guidance	Upholding sanctity of marriage, grace and compassion for divorced
Non-Calvinist Protestant	Permitted in cases of adultery or desertion	Allowed after valid divorce, with guidance	Upholding sanctity of marriage, grace and compassion for divorced
Eastern Orthodox	Recognized as necessary in certain situations	Second marriage allowed as act of mercy	Pastoral care for healing and restoration
Progressive	Permissible in cases of abuse, infidelity, or irreconcilable differences	Generally more open to remarriage	Emphasis on compassion, understanding, and support

Hear from Each Perspective

Ordered by number of adherents

John / Catholic

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament, a lifelong and indissoluble bond between a man and a woman. Divorce is not recognized as valid by the Church, as it goes against the nature of marriage and God's plan for human relationships. However, the Church does recognize that some marriages may be invalid from the beginning due to impediments such as coercion, mental incapacity, or lack of proper form. In such cases, an annulment may be granted, which declares that the marriage was never valid in the first place. For Catholics who have experienced the pain of separation or civil divorce, the Church offers support and guidance, encouraging them to remain faithful to their marriage vows and to seek reconciliation if possible. Those who have divorced and remarried without an annulment are considered to be in an irregular situation and are not permitted to receive the sacraments of the Church.

Anthony / Eastern Orthodox

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, marriage is considered a holy sacrament, and the ideal is for it to be a lifelong union. However, the Orthodox Church recognizes that there are situations where divorce may be necessary, such as in cases of adultery or abuse. In such instances, divorce is seen as a tragic result of human sin and brokenness, rather than as a desirable solution. The Church's role is to provide pastoral care and support to those who are struggling in their marriages, and to help them find healing and restoration where possible. If a divorce does occur, the Orthodox Church allows for the possibility of a second marriage, but this is seen as an act of mercy and economia, rather than as an ideal.

Caleb / Non-Calvinist Protestant

Non-Calvinist Protestants generally believe that divorce is permissible under certain circumstances, such as adultery or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse, as outlined in Matthew 19:9 and 1 Corinthians 7:15. However, divorce should be seen as a last resort after all efforts at reconciliation have been exhausted. The Church should seek to support and strengthen marriages, providing counseling and resources to help couples work through difficult times. In cases where divorce does occur, the Church should offer love, support, and guidance to those who are hurting, while also upholding the sanctity of marriage and encouraging reconciliation where possible.

Nathan / Calvinist Protestant

Calvinist Protestants hold a high view of marriage as a covenant relationship instituted by God. Divorce is seen as a last resort, permissible only in cases of adultery or desertion, as taught in Matthew 19:9 and 1 Corinthians 7:15. Even in these situations, divorce is not required, and reconciliation should be sought whenever possible. The Church has a responsibility to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to provide support and guidance to couples who are struggling. In cases where divorce does occur, the Church should extend grace and compassion to those who are hurting, while also maintaining the biblical standards for marriage and divorce.

Hannah / Progressive

Divorce can be seen as a regrettable but sometimes necessary reality in a fallen world. While God's ideal for marriage is a lifelong commitment, there are situations where divorce may be the most loving and appropriate response, such as in cases of abuse, infidelity, or irreconcilable differences. The emphasis should be on providing support, healing, and grace to those who have experienced the pain of divorce, rather than on condemning or ostracizing them. The Church should be a place of compassion and restoration, recognizing that God's love and forgiveness extend to all people, regardless of their marital status.

The Key Differences

1. Permissibility of Divorce

The Catholic Church does not recognize divorce as valid, teaching that marriage is an indissoluble bond. However, it does allow for the possibility of annulment in cases where the marriage was invalid from the beginning.
Calvinist and Non-Calvinist Protestants generally permit divorce in cases of adultery or desertion, as outlined in the Bible, but see it as a last resort after all efforts at reconciliation have been exhausted.
The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes that divorce may be necessary in certain situations, such as adultery or abuse, but sees it as a tragic result of human sin and brokenness, rather than as an ideal.
Progressive Christians tend to have a more permissive view of divorce, seeing it as a regrettable but sometimes necessary reality in a fallen world, particularly in cases of abuse, infidelity, or irreconcilable differences.

2. Remarriage

The Catholic Church does not permit remarriage after divorce unless an annulment has been granted, declaring the previous marriage invalid.
Calvinist and Non-Calvinist Protestants generally allow for remarriage after a valid divorce, but emphasize the importance of seeking God's guidance and ensuring that the new marriage is entered into with a clear conscience.
The Eastern Orthodox Church allows for the possibility of a second marriage after divorce, but sees this as an act of mercy and economia, rather than as an ideal.
Progressive Christians are generally more open to remarriage after divorce, emphasizing the importance of grace, healing, and new beginnings.

3. Pastoral Care and Support

All five traditions emphasize the importance of providing pastoral care, support, and guidance to those who are struggling in their marriages or have experienced divorce.
The Catholic Church encourages separated or divorced individuals to remain faithful to their marriage vows and to seek reconciliation if possible, while offering support and guidance through the annulment process when necessary.
Calvinist and Non-Calvinist Protestants prioritize upholding the sanctity of marriage and providing resources to help couples work through difficult times, while also extending grace and compassion to those who have experienced divorce.
The Eastern Orthodox Church focuses on providing pastoral care and support to help couples find healing and restoration where possible, recognizing the tragic nature of divorce.
Progressive Christians emphasize the need for compassion, understanding, and support for those who have gone through divorce, recognizing the complexity of human relationships and the importance of healing and grace.

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