To: sitetest
>>I thought I'd learned that the Western Church does not GRANT Ecclesiastical Divorces, but that the Western Church accepts the VALIDITY of those granted by the Eastern Churches.
The Church does not recognize divorce PERIOD. The Church believes that a valid marriages is indissoluable, PERIOD.
The Church, however, does recognize a civil limited divorce which amounts to a legal separation -- but the parties are not free to remarry since the marriage is still presumed to be valid.
No offense, the the Ecclesiastical Divorce and the concept of "economy" used to justify it is an error in the Orthodox Church. It's actually a much larger scandal then the anullment scandal.
To: 1stFreedom; Hermann the Cherusker
Dear 1stFreedom,
I understand what you're saying, but respectfully disagree. I'm sure Hermann can cite the specific document, the specific pontiff, I can't. I only remember reading the document, posted by a respected, conservative Catholic priest.
sitetest
39 posted on
02/03/2004 8:33:43 AM PST by
sitetest
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