[MacMattico]

I know what an annulment is. Annulments aren't always possible, and I must say (even as a Catholic) are sometimes given out to easily. An Annulment is supposed to be given when the marriage is “found lacking in the essential characteristics of a Christian Sacramental Union from the time of consent.” In my example, my Uncle was a good guy for the first five years of his marriage to my Aunt, and then he turned into a monster. It was the 1960’s and she wasn't offered an annulment, but after divorced, as I have said, received counseling and forgiveness.

[Petrosius]

Annulments aren't always possible…

If an annulment is not possible then the fact is that the original marriage continues after the civil divorce. Do we follow the words of our Lord or not?

It was the 1960’s and she wasn't offered an annulment, but after divorced, as I have said, received counseling and forgiveness.

Forgiveness yes, but without an annulment her marriage still exists. If any priest told her that a civil divorce actually dissolved the marriage and that after absolution she was free to marry then he lied to her. She would still be married to her husband and bound to remain chaste in her marriage.

The gospel has many crosses that we must bear, involuntary celibacy being one of them. It is only with true faith that we can follow Jesus Christ. While we should always have compassion on those who through weakness fall into sin, we can never declare what is sinful to be good. Nor can we cease to call sinners away from their sins.