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>>the specific pontiff, I can't. I only remember reading the document, posted by a respected, conservative Catholic priest.

I think it's wishful thinking on the part of the priest. The church does not grant divorces, and does not recognized civil divorces in terms of the sacrament.

For an exhaustive Catholic understanding of this, read this (from New Advent, the Catholic Encyclopedia).

Divorce (in Moral Theology)

Dear 1stFreedom,

"I think it's wishful thinking on the part of the priest."

Perhaps. I'll try to see if I can dig up the reference.

I'll betcha Hermann could name it right off the top of his head.

sitetest

I think it's wishful thinking on the part of the priest. The church does not grant divorces, and does not recognized civil divorces in terms of the sacrament.

Speaking on the subject of Eastern Orthodox Marriage legislation, the Second Vatican Council noted:

"These questions are left to theologians to discuss-specifically the question of the power exercised de facto among the separated Eastern Churches, about which there are various explanations." (Lumen Gentium, Nota Previa)

In other words, the Catholic Church recognizes in practice the rulings of the ecclesiastical tribunals of the Orthodox. One can read more about these rulings here:

http://ortodox.webconnect.no/kirkensl%C3%A6re/divorce%20in%20the%20orthodox%20church.htm