Answering the Big Catholic Question: Why Can’t a Marriage Break?

Novermber 15, 2025: If you’ve ever tried to make sense of the Catholic Church’s teaching on marriage — especially the idea that a sacramental marriage is indissoluble — you already know it’s a topic that’s emotionally charged, pastorally sensitive, and often misunderstood. That’s exactly why Fr. Selvaraj Antonisamy’s 'The Sacrament of Marriage' book feels so timely and necessary. Instead of giving a surface explanation or repeating familiar arguments, this book offers a clear, structured, and genuinely helpful walk-through of one of the Church’s most challenging teachings.

The strength of this work lies in its clarity. The author manages to take a teaching that spans Scripture, tradition, Church history, and modern pastoral issues and turn it into a coherent, systematic presentation. This isn’t just another book about marriage, it’s a serious analysis that still manages to feel readable and relevant to ordinary Catholics.

So, Why Can’t Catholics Break Their Marriage Break?

At the heart of the book is the doctrine of marital indissolubility. That word can feel heavy, but the author breaks it down by showing how and why this teaching became essential to Catholic marriage. The text also distinguishes between divorce and indissolubility, clarifying that while civil divorce ends a legal contract, sacramental marriage retains a spiritual and canonical permanence.

The book summarises the doctrine as it was lived and taught in the Church, helping readers understand that indissolubility didn’t appear out of nowhere; it emerged through centuries of reflection and lived experience. It doesn’t just defend the doctrine — it explains it in a way that readers can relate to today.

What Did the Bible Really Say About Marriage?

He begins with Scripture, the starting point for any Catholic teaching. The book then delves deep into Old Testament instances, from Genesis and Malachi to Ezra, showing how marriage and its permanence are rooted in God’s plan from the very beginning. The book then moves into the Gospels and the letters of the New Testament, tracing the continuity of this teaching in Christ’s ministry and in the early Church.

He also talks about the exceptional clause, clarifying how Scripture addresses certain situations while still maintaining the essential permanence of marriage. This section explains how the biblical foundation for marital indissolubility develops from both Old and New Testament teachings.

How Did We Get Here? A Journey Through Christian History

Fr. Antonisamy also guides readers through the historical development of the doctrine. He explores the teachings of key figures such as St. Jerome and St. Augustine, and examines the authoritative decisions of the Council of Trent, among others. This historical journey helps readers see how the Church’s understanding of marriage has grown, matured, and responded to pastoral realities over time. The author shows that the doctrine of indissolubility is not static but the product of centuries of reflection, theological debate, and lived Christian experience.

When Marriage Breaks: What Today’s Realities Demand

This is where the book feels most connected to today’s world. It addresses the challenges faced by millions of Catholics and non-Catholics: divorced Catholics, those who are civilly remarried and those whose marital relationships have failed.

Fr. Antonisamy treats these situations as real pastoral realities rather than abstract problems. Behind every broken marriage is a human story, often filled with pain, confusion, and spiritual struggle, and the book acknowledges that these stories must be met with clarity, compassion, and honesty.

Can the Church Rethink Marriage Without Changing It?

One of the book’s most engaging contributions is its call for a renewed theology of marital indissolubility. Fr. Antonisamy proposes ways the Church might articulate this doctrine more meaningfully today — without compromising on its essential truth. The book emphasises a “more-inclusive” pastoral care that reaches out to those who have suffered through failed relationships, showing that doctrine and mercy can go hand in hand.

Why is this Book Relevant Today?

In a Church navigating the tension between doctrinal clarity and pastoral sensitivity, 'The Sacrament of Marriage' offers a thoughtful, balanced approach. It is faithful to tradition but unafraid to face modern challenges head-on. It’s a valuable read for clergy, theology students, married couples, and anyone trying to understand not just what the Church teaches about marriage — but why it teaches it and how it can respond more pastorally in today’s world.

Whether you’re married, discerning marriage, or know someone who is, this book is a must-read and a must-have in every Catholic Household. Click Here to get yours now!

By Catholic Connect Reporter