We aim to be a loving and welcoming Christian community:
honouring God in worship, following Christ in our lives and participating in his mission.
Marriage in church after divorce
The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life. It also recognizes that some marriages sadly do fail and, if this should happen, it seeks to be available for all involved. The Church accepts that, in exceptional circumstances, a divorced person may marry again in church during the lifetime of a former spouse.
You and your intended spouse should therefore be prepared to consider some questions. You are advised to reflect beforehand on the issues they raise – and should be prepared to answer them honestly.
- What does marriage mean to you?
What have you learned from your previous marriage? - Has there been healing of past hurts?
If you have children, how are they being looked after? - What do others think of your marriage plans?
- When did your new relationship begin?
Have either of you been divorced more than once? - Are you wanting to grow in the Christian faith?
You will also need to provide written legal proof that any divorce decree is absolute.
If it is not possible for your proposed marriage to take place in church, your priest may consider other alternatives with you. If your priest agrees to conduct a marriage service, you will be invited to take part in marriage preparation, some of which will be with other couples.
Questions to be considered with the Vicar
a) Do the applicants have a clear understanding of the meaning and purpose of marriage?
- Have they a determination for the new marriage to be a life-long faithful partnership?
(b) Do the applicants have a mature view of the circumstances of the breakdown of the previous marriage and are they ready to enter wholeheartedly and responsibly into a new relationship?
- Did the divorced person take the first marriage seriously and has he/she learnt from mistakes?
- Is the other party aware of the possible causes of the breakdown of their future partner’s previous marriage?
- Is there an attitude of repentance, forgiveness and generosity of spirit so that the applicants are free to build a new relationship?
(c) Has there been sufficient healing of the personal and social wounds of marriage breakdown?
- Has there been enough time and distance for the parties concerned to recover emotional stability and good judgement?
- Are there any extant court proceedings relating to the former marriage?
- Are responsibilities to the children of any previous marriage being recognised and honoured?
(d) Would the effects of the proposed marriage on individuals, the wider community and the Church be such as to undermine the credibility of the Church’s witness to marriage?
- Would the new marriage be likely to be a cause of hostile public comment or scandal?
(e) Would permitting the new marriage be tantamount to consecrating an old infidelity?
- Was the relationship between the applicants a direct cause of the breakdown of the former marriage?
(f) Has either of the parties been divorced more than once?
(g) Do the applicants display a readiness to explore the significance of the Christian faith for their lives so that their further marriage is not an isolated contact with the Church?
If you are divorced and want to be married in church there are questions which the Vicar will consider with you:
Normally, it will be clear as you go through these questions whether a wedding in church will be possible.
The Vicar will confirm his decision at the end of the meeting.
