[Vendome]

So one should stay in a union where violence, domination, intimidation, covert hostility and complete lack of communication are daily grinds?

if so, it’s appalling that shooting the offender for the sake of peace is unlawful.

[babygene]

“if so, it’s appalling that shooting the offender for the sake of peace is unlawful.”

If you shot her/him you wouldn’t be banned from Communion...

[Mrs. Don-o]

There's a difference between divorce (which may be just a civil procedure) and divorce/remarriage.

A husband or wife may have, not just the right, but the moral responsibility to separate from their spouse, esp.in cases of abuse. Even if the separation is accompanied by a civil divorce, no moral fault is incurred.

That is, unless a second marriage is attempted. Then --- as Jesus Christ Himself said (three times, in Matthew, Mark, and Luke)--- the second union be adultery as long as the original spouse is still living.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

So one should stay in a union where violence, domination, intimidation, covert hostility and complete lack of communication are daily grinds?

In an abusive relationship, the Church permits civil divorce, but not remarriage, assuming that the original marriage was valid. A civil divorce is considered separation.

Additionally, an abusive personality could be indicative of a psychological condition that could make a marriage invalid. But that's just an educated guess.