MacchiatOwl

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2383:

The separation of spouses while maintaining the marriage bond can be legitimate in certain cases provided for by canon law. If civil divorce remains the only possible way of ensuring certain legal rights, the care of the children, or the protection of inheritance, it can be tolerated and does not constitute a moral offense.

The relevant circumstances for separation are outlined in Can. 1151-1155, particularly Can. 1152 §1 on adultery:

Although it is earnestly recommended that a spouse, moved by Christian charity and concerned for the good of the family, not refuse forgiveness to an adulterous partner and not disrupt conjugal life, nevertheless, if the spouse did not condone the fault of the other expressly or tacitly, the spouse has the right to sever conjugal living unless the spouse consented to the adultery, gave cause for it, or also committed adultery.

And Can. 1153 §1 on abuse:

If either of the spouses causes grave mental or physical danger to the other spouse or to the offspring or otherwise renders common life too difficult, that spouse gives the other a legitimate cause for leaving, either by decree of the local ordinary or even on his or her own authority if there is danger in delay.

Defect of Discretion (Canon 1095-2)

Inability to Assume the Obligations of Marriage (Canon 1095-3)

Currently I’m in the process of having my marriage annulled on the latter but I’m also arguing that the sacrament was never actually achieved. As I was at the time unaware of an affair my ex had started before our marriage.

Janusz Stanny (Polish,1932 - 2014)

Drawtober 2024 Prompt 01 |