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Questions / Living the faith

Can Catholics get divorced?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: Divorce & Catholics, Ascension Presents, published Sep 9, 2015. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Jesus was clear: a valid, consummated marriage can’t be dissolved by any human power. CCC 1614 CCC 1640

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

Jesus taught the original meaning of marriage: the union of man and woman is indissoluble. CCC 1614

A marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved. CCC 1640

Our words

A civil divorce can be necessary to protect someone, and the Church allows separation. What it can’t do is undo a real marriage. If you’re divorced, you are still welcome at Mass. Talk to a priest about your situation.

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Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1614, 1640 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.