Is it a sin for a Catholic lawyer to handle divorce cases?

If a Catholic lawyer represents a client in pursing a divorce, is he committing a sin?

No, why would you think so?

The Church requires a civil divorce if someone is seeking an annulment. Divorce is not a “sin”.

We cannot answer this. There is no blanket answer. It completely depends upon the actions the lawyer takes and **all **the factors of that **specific **divorce situation.

It is not inherently sinful to be a lawyer nor to represent a client in divorce proceedings.

In fact, it may be a moral and virtuous thing to do, even something that justice or charity demands, depending on the situation.

It may also indeed be sinful to participate in a divorce case depending on the situation.

Divorce most certainly is a sin, objectively. It is a sin against marriage, a sin against the sixth commandment.

It may not be a sin in some cases, even many cases, especially not a sin for the innocent spouse and not a sin for a spouse who must separate to protect him/herself, children, or in some cases property.

Isn’t it more correct to say that divorce is grave matter, which may or may not be a sin depending on the circumstances? Since the Church doesn’t recognize civil divorce, how can something it doesn’t juridically “see” and which is required for a Decree of Nullity be objectively a sin?

That is why I said it is a sin, objectively. Yes, grave matter would be accurate.

The Church certainly does recognize civil divorce as far as civil effects go.


As to the “requirement” of divorce for nullity:
