The Problem of Childlessness
The Problem of Childlessness
Question
I am a woman who has been married for 12 years, and I have not had any children. My husband is threatening to divorce me because of this, and therefore I am in torment… Does he have the right to do this? And what do you advise me?
Answer
Your husband does not have the right to divorce you because of childlessness.
First, because you are not at fault in this matter. Also, the Holy Bible does not permit this. The reason for divorce in the Gospel is sexual immorality, as the Lord Christ said. This is mentioned in (Matthew 5:32), (Matthew 19:9), (Mark 10:11), and (Luke 16:18). The separation of husband and wife is also possible in the case of a change of religion (1 Corinthians 7:15).
If divorce had been possible because of childlessness, then our father Abraham, the father of the patriarchs, would have divorced Sarah.
She remained childless until she was ninety years old. When God promised her that she would bear a son, she laughed within herself and said: “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” (Genesis 18:12).
If divorce had been possible because of childlessness, then Zechariah the priest could have divorced his wife Elizabeth, who was barren and remained so until both of them had reached old age (Luke 1:7).
However, your husband may go to court to obtain a civil divorce. The Church does not recognize a civil divorce.
In that case, the Church will not permit him to marry after such a divorce…
But if he marries by deceptive means, or marries outside the Church, then the Church will consider him to be an adulterer, because he married while his lawful wife was still living. The Lord Christ said concerning this: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her” (Mark 10:11).
In this case, your husband will have betrayed the companionship of 12 years with you. God will not bless such a marriage or any children from it.
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