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Divorce

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Marriage and Family › Divorce

The question

Two parents are having a problem. The church tried to solve the problem but one of the parents has refused any solution and filed for divorce in the court. What if there is no adultery involved? Can a precept be issued that no Christian takes his brother to court?

The answer

Your question regarding the filing of divorce in the court system has 2 main points:
  1. In the Holy Book of I Corinthians 6:7 states, "Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?" Simply explained, this passage is stating that litigation can be uncovered as love of greed, hatred, or retaliation. Ideally, Christians ought to be of a generous nature, with mercy, and possessing forgiveness. To let yourself be cheated is to turn the other cheek as described in the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 5:39.



    2. 2) Marriage is a Sacrament by the Grace of God. The union between a husband and wife should not be broken apart. Many Biblical verses give strong counsel against divorce including the Holy Gospel of St. Matthew 19: 1-12, Holy Book of I Corinthians 7:10, and Holy Gospel of St. Mark 10:6-9.
I would like to leave you with an example of family life in the prodigal son. The prodigal son never made any progress in his family relationships until he came to himself (Luke 15: 11-24). He saw himself where he was and where he would like to be; and without blaming anyone he traveled the distance between the two. Couples should repair their relationship and make a beginning with firm direction. The beginning is where they are now and the direction is toward where they ought to be.

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

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Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 499 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.