The Catholic Church views marriage as a sacrament, a sacred and indissoluble bond established by God. This bond, ideally, lasts until death. Therefore, the termination of a marriage recognized as valid by the Church presents a complex theological issue. The Church distinguishes between a civil divorce, which is a legal dissolution of marriage by the state, and an annulment, which is a declaration by the Church that a valid marriage never existed in the first place due to some impediment at the time of the vows.
The stance on the dissolution of marriage stems from interpretations of scripture and centuries of Church teaching. It underscores the importance of fidelity and permanence in marital vows. The benefits of this doctrine, from the Church’s perspective, are the promotion of stable families and the safeguarding of children’s welfare. Historically, the Church has maintained this position, though pastoral approaches have evolved to address the complexities and sufferings of individuals in broken marriages.