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Divorced Catholics
There is much misunderstanding about divorced Catholics. For instance:
Divorced Catholics are not excommunicated.
Most divorced Catholics may receive Eucharist and Reconciliation
Divorced Catholics are full members of the Catholic Church and may participate fully in the life of the Church
Children will not be illegitimate if a declaration of nullity is granted
Before a divorced Catholic can re-marry in the Church, a declaration of nullity must be granted on the previous marriage.
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Recovering After Divorce
Faith and courage are needed to rebuild life after the end of a marriage. You are encouraged to seek help from good people who have learned how to move ahead with rebuilding their lives. Speaking to your priest, Peer support groups, professional counseling, and kind people in your faith community are likely places to seek out support.
If you are separated, use this time to reflect on God's will for you. Attend Retrouvaille, seek effective counseling from a professional, and pray for emotional and spiritual healing.
If you are a single parent, seek help from other single parents. Attend parent education opportunities. Never speak ill of the other parent in front of children.
If you are co-parenting, learn to share the children in a kind way. Do not punish the other parent and do not punish the child for the relationship they have with the other parent. Every time you talk poorly about the other parent, you inflict deep pain in the child. Children whose separated or divorced parents continue to argue and fight have the greatest harm inflicted on them. -
Online Resources
Catholic Divorce Support - www.divorcedcatholic.com
Interactive Divorce Education Program for Parents - www.childreninthemiddle.org
Catholic Divorce Ministry - nacsdc.org
Help for children of divorce - www.Rainbows.org
Thinking about Divorcing? - www.thinkingdivorce.com
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Books
Divorce
Making Your Way After Your Parents' Divorce by Lynn Cassella, Ligouri Publications, 2003
The Divorce Remedy by Michele Weinar Davis, Simon & Schuster, 2001
Praying Through Your Divorce, by O'Donnell, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2003
Should I Stay or Go? How Controlled Separation Can Aave Your Marriag by Raffel and Houston, Contemporary Books, 1999
Mom's House, Dad's House by Ricci, Simon and Schuster, 1999
Adult Children of Divorced Parents, by Rodgers and Rodgers, Resource Publications, 2003
Voices of Children of Divorce by Dr. David Royko, St. Martin's Griffin, 2000
The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce by Wallerstein, Lewis, Blakeslee, Hyperion, 2000
What About the Kids? Raising your Children Before, During and After Divorce by Judith S. Wallerstein, Hyperion, 2003
Annulment
Catholic Annulment; Spiritual Healing by Dennis and Kay Flowers, Ligouri, 2001
Annulments and the Catholic Church by Edward Peters, Ascension Press, 2004
RemarriageThe Smart Stepfamily by Ron Deal, Bethany House, 2002
Making Your Second Class Marriage A First Class Success by Doug and Naomi Moseley, 1998
Saving Your Second Marriage Before It Starts by Parrott and Parrott, Zondervan, 2001
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