3.11.2014

How Should a Christian Lawyer Handle Divorce?

This excellent guest post is offered by current Family Law student, Kahryn Rombach:

What is your position on divorce? What will you, a Christian, do when a potential client walks into your office and asks you to help him dissolve his marriage?” My family law professor regularly challenges her students to understand their personal convictions regarding divorce as well as the law of their jurisdictions, which inspired me to take a closer look at a nuance of the canons of my religion, Roman Catholicism. The Catholic practice of annulment is generally absent from conversations about divorce, but it should be a discussion point for Christians because it is a meaningful example of the reverence accorded to sacramental matrimony by the Church, a reverence that all denominations should embrace.
 
Sacraments are outward signs of inward grace, which provide participants with the life of God in their soul and the graces necessary to fully enjoy the human experience. In matrimony, the spouses administer the sacrament to one another, and their union is a unique, holy expression of the love Christ bears for His Church, and a reflection of His unity with her. Catholic marriages enjoy a presumption of validity and bind the spouses for life. This union is natural, supernatural, and unbreakable. So, for Catholics, “marriage” and “divorce” are not two sides of the same coin. Catholic marriages do “end,” but not in divorce.
 
Divorce claims to terminate the marital contract, but, for Catholics, this is impossible. For us, “a ratified and consummated marriage cannot be dissolved by any human power or for any reason other than death” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2382). However, Catholic marriages can, under certain circumstances, be annulled. A finding of nullity requires a determination that some essential factor was missing, such that the marriage was not validly contracted and therefore nonexistent. In other words, if there was not a full, free decision to marry, or if some factor in radical opposition to marriage is present in the relationship, the union is considered invalid from its inception. The most common reasons for a declaration of nullity are inadequacy of judgment, psychological incapacity, and the lack of the requisite intentions to have children, remain faithful, or stay married till death (www.americancatholic.org). The process of obtaining annulment forces the couple and the Church to carefully examine their relationship, and, if possible, to try to save it.
 
Unfortunately, most Protestant denominations do not consider marriage to be a sacrament, and their divorce conventions often resemble those of secular civil unions. The secular perspective that a marriage is like any other contractual relationship which can begin and end at will does incredible damage to the spiritual realities of the spouses’ union to each other in God. Nevertheless, Christians generally do not have annulment available to them, and obtain a quick civil divorce to change their legal relationship status and end their spiritual union. This robs them of opportunities for accountability, reconciliation, and community support. It excludes pastors and other mentors from the process, often leaving two emotionally wounded individuals isolated with the mistaken impression that a lawyer is their only way out. Too often, no one suggests productive alternatives, or challenges the spouses to change, forgive, or re-commit. Too often, there is no one to speak for God, the third party to the contract.
 
Annulment addresses these concerns. The process is rightfully long and arduous, because it places an appropriately strict level of scrutiny on the validity of the desire to negate a vow taken in the presence of God. It connects the couple to counselors, priests, and canon lawyers who can protect them in case of harm inflicted by a spouse, or correct them in cases of sin or selfishness. It gives God a voice in the process and preserves the dignity of all parties. Analogous practices that non-Catholic denominations might consider when a marriage ends are beyond the scope of this essay. But all Christians should prayerfully consider the respect due to the supernatural realities of binding themselves in marriages that image the union of Christ and His Church, and should advocate Christ-centered structures that support these unions and preserve them where possible.

10 comments:

  1. Many thanks for the exciting blog posting! I really enjoyed reading it

    Some information about Phoenix family law attorney

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic.for more details something like visit phoenix divorce attorney get more informations.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have to give this miraculous testimony, which is so unbelievable until now. I had a problem with my Ex husband 2years ago, which lead to our break up. when he broke up with me, I was not myself again, i felt so empty inside me, my love and financial situation became worst, until a close friend of mine lucy told me about a spell caster who helped her in the same problem too his name is Dr Ekaka. I email ekakaspelltemple@yahoo.com the spell caster and i told him my problem and i did what he asked of me, to cut the long story short. Before i knew what was happening my husband gave me a call and told me that he was coming back to me in just 2days and was so happy to have him back to me. We have two kids together and we are happy with ourselves. Thanks to Dr Ekaka for saving my relationship and for also saving others own too. continue your good work, If you are interested to contact him and testify this blessings like me, the great spell caster email address is ekakaspelltemple@yahoo.com you are the best among all the spell caster online I hope you see my testimonies and also pray for my family too

    ReplyDelete
  4. My name is Rebecca Miller I'm from united state, i have been married for 4 years and i have a break up with my husband 3 months ago and i was worried and so confuse because i love him so much. i was really going too depressed and a friend directed me to this spell caster Dr. Laco and i made all my problems known to him and he told me not to worry that he was going to make my husband to come back to me and in just 48hours i receive a call from my husband and he was appealing that i should come back to the house. i have never in my life believe in spell and but now it have just helped me and i am now so happy. All Thanks to him and if you also want to have your Husband back to yourself here !! his emailAddress(lacopowerfulspellcaster@yahoo.com) i am so happy to testify of your work and kindness

    ReplyDelete
  5. I m TASHA from U.S.A,My faince now [husband] is back and we are happily married with kids and i m here to gave thanks and appreciation to Dr IRABOR the spell caster of iraborspelltemple@gmail.com for all the time He stood by me,for all the truth He make me see,for all the happiness He brought into my life,for all the wrongs He make right,for every of my dreams He make come through and for the help i found in Him,i am grateful and thankful unto Him,He was the one that helped me all,He never let me fall,He was the one that saw me through it all,He was my source of strength when i was weak,He was my voice when i couldn`t speak,He was my eyes when i couldn`t see,{spiritualy}He saw the pain wasn`t good for me,He lifted me were i couldn`t reach,i m everything i m today because He helped me,i m so happy my husband is back in my life at last,His email is iraborspelltemple@gmail.com,A temple were sorrows are dropped and happiness is gain in return.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Without DR DAHIRU a lot of people would have been dead through heart break. My case is not different from heart break, I am married woman with 3 kids and there was a time when i was having problem with my husband because he was having an affair outside our marriage and this was making me feel bad. So i tried finding solution to my problem by reading a lot of relationship tips on the internet and that was how i came in contact with DR DAHIRU contact details and through the help of DR DAHIRU at arewaspecialistttemple@gmail.com my husband left the girl he was having affair with and he came back to me and our kids. After a job well done by DR DAHIRU i felt that it will be unfair if i keep this secret to myself and that is why i am going to drop the contact details of DR DAHIRU right now, They are: arewaspecialistttemple@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Am Julia Andrea From USA I never believed that i could finally get back the happiness and the love that was gone after my husband left me totally. I couldn't just believe that spells and magic could turn my thoughts and my dreams into reality in getting back with my husband after he served me with divorce papers.. my ex husband after the divorce never showed up to me and the kids anymore, he finally made up his mind on me and said it was over. 2 years after our divorce, i was still out trying to get him back and i did all that i knew best could make him happy, and my mum and everybody around just advised i should forget about him and move on with my life, because they felt he was gone forever and was never gonna return. But i never gave up on trying to get him back, because i so much loved him beyond what anybody could ever imagine. I met a spell caster, and what drew my attention most was the fact that this spell caster was from Africa when i contacted Dr ATILA. And that so much gave me the assurance because i have heard much more on how he has helped alot of people... and with the help that Dr ATILA rendered to me, he saved my marriage and reunited me and my ex husband back together again with his powerful spells. Thank you so much Dr ATILA for your help in reuniting me and my husband again, if not for you, my life would have permanently turned out to b a mess. His mail:atilahealinghome@yahoo.com.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It just occur to me that i have not done the right thing since when my husband came back to me, I am Mayer from United Kingdom, I am on this blog to give thanks to whom it deserve. Some couples of weeks ago my life was in a terrible shape because my husband left me and i never believe that i was going to get him back. But through the help of this powerful spell caster called Dr.Ogudugu my life is now in a joyful mood, I must recommend the services of Dr.Ogudugu to any one out there that they should contact Dr.Ogudugu through his email: GREATOGUDUGU@GMAIL.COM because through Dr.Ogudugu assistance, my marriage was restored.

    ***DR OGUDUGU SERVICES*** CALL +2348057266712

    * Reuniting Love Spells or Reuniting Lovers Spell.
    * Attracting Love Spells or Lovers Spells.
    * Psychic Love Spells.
    * Return & Reunite Love Spells (Lovers Spells).
    * Bring Back Lost Love Spells.
    * Poweful Magic Love Ring.
    * Powerful Love Talismans.
    * Black Magic Love Spells to make some one love you.
    * Love Spell Perfume to Attract Your Love.
    * Gay Love Spells.
    *Money Spells
    *Protection Spells
    *Binding Spells
    *Healing Spells
    *Job Spells
    *Fertility Spells
    *House Protection Spell
    *Justice Spells
    *Spells For Bad Dreams
    *Spells For Snake Bites, Scorpio, And Deadly Insects
    *Voodoo Dolls
    *Crystal Balls
    *Spirits Invocation
    *Genie Invocation
    *Magical Charms
    *Weight Loss Spells
    *Wish Spells
    *Prosperity Spells
    *Pregnancy Spells
    *Talismans
    *Banishing Spells

    ReplyDelete
  9. my husband of 9 years left me just because i could not give him A child, i did all i could to make sure i give him a child, i even went to an extent of forcing him to have sex with me every night but could not work. not until one evening when i was browsing through the internet, i saw a comment on how a woman in same problem like mine was made home by A man called lord amadi . i read about him and decided to contact him for help, i did as he ask me to do but i was still wondering how can someone just bring back my love he don't even know but i keep doing as he ask me to do. i was very surprise one morning my husband came and started begging me to come back to his life. at first i pretend to be angry then i accepted him back. lord amadi also cast a spell for me to make me have children and as i speak right now i am a mother with 3kids. if there is any one out there who needs his help you can contact him through his personal EMAIL: lordamadi@outlook.com. phone: +2349066148726. i wish you good luck

    ReplyDelete
  10. my husband of 9 years left me just because i could not give him A child, i did all i could to make sure i give him a child, i even went to an extent of forcing him to have sex with me every night but could not work. not until one evening when i was browsing through the internet, i saw a comment on how a woman in same problem like mine was  made home by A man called lord amadi . i read about him and decided to contact him for help, i did as he ask me to do but i was still wondering how can someone just bring back my love he don't even know but i keep doing as he ask me to do. i was very surprise one morning my husband came and started begging me to come back to his life. at first i pretend to be angry then i accepted him back. lord amadi also cast a spell for me to make me have children and as i speak right now i am a mother with 3kids. if there is any one out there who needs his help you can contact him through his personal EMAIL: lordamadi@outlook.com.  phone: +2349066148726. i wish you good luck

    ReplyDelete