"I earnestly call upon pastors and the whole community of the faithful to help the divorced and with solicitous care, to make sure that they do not consider themselves as separated from the Church… Let the Church pray for them, encourage them and show herself a merciful mother and thus sustain them in faith and hope."
-Pope John Paul II, On the Family, #84

"Nothing - not even divorce or death - can place limits on God’s love."
-USCCB, Follow the Way of Love, pg. 5

Things to Know About Divorce and Annulments

• Divorced/remarried Catholics are not excommunicated.
• Annulments do not cost thousands of dollars.
• Someone married for a long time can get an annulment.
• Someone with children can get an annulment.
• Annulments do not take years to process and do not have to be processed in Rome.
• Your "ex" does not need to cooperate in the annulment process

Things to Know About Divorce and Parish Life

• Separated/divorced Catholics are welcome at Mass and Church activities.
• Separated/divorced Catholics can be sponsors at Baptism and Confirmation.
• Separated/divorced Catholics can receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.
• Separated/divorced Catholics can have their children baptized and receive other sacraments.

Support Groups

Separated and Divorced Catholic (SDC) support groups are peer ministry programs which offer emotional and spiritual support for Catholics who are going through, or who have already experienced, separation or divorce. SDC support groups seek to provide information and resources which assist members to accept their present situation and to prepare for the future. Meetings take place at parish-based sites throughout the archdiocese.

Catholic's Divorce Survival Guide
The Catholic's DIVORCE SURVIVAL weekly parish program presents the Church's loving wisdom to guide you past the pain. For true healing, we point you to the Sacraments, where you'll encounter Christ—with all His love and mercy--in a deeply personal way. And that's the REALLY good news. If you are interested in starting this program in your parish, please contact the Office for Life, Family and Laity mcokeley@adphila.org, 215-587-0500

Divorce and Beyond
Divorce and Beyond is a program designed to help separated and divorced persons to gain a perspective on their situation and begin anew. An easy to follow leader's manual helps non-professionals present the program effectively. Please visit the website for the Ministry of the North American Conference of Divorced Catholics for materials and information

Office for Life, Family and Laity Phone: 215-587-0500 Email: famlife@adphila.org

The following is our most recent listing of Separated/Divorced Catholics (SDC) groups:

Divorce and Beyond

BUCKS COUNTY:

St. Bede the Venerable
1071 Holland Rd.
Holland, PA
215-357-5720

Separated/Divorced Support Groups:

PHILADELPHIA/CENTER CITY:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

Mary Mother of the Redeemer
1325 Upper State Road
North Wales
215-362-7400 or 267-987-8834

BUCKS COUNTY:

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
E. State St., Doylestown
3rd Monday, 7:30PM
(“People of Hope;” Sept through May)
215-348-4190 or 215-348-1125

CHESTER COUNTY:

St. Norbert
50 Leopard Road
(Located 1/4 mile south of Route 30 on Route 252; five minutes from Delaware County)
Paoli, PA  19301
Thursdays 7:15 PM (September through May)
610-644-1655 or Denise3Coach@yahoo.com

DELAWARE COUNTY:

St. Joseph
500 Woodlawn Avenue
Collingdale
1st Monday; 7:30PM
610-461-9351