Question 348
© Libreria Editrice Vaticana Source: vatican.va
When does the Church allow the physical separation of spouses?
Answer
The Church permits the physical separation of spouses when for serious reasons their living together becomes practically impossible, even though there may be hope for their reconciliation. As long as one’s spouse lives, however, one is not free to contract a new union, except if the marriage be null and be declared so by ecclesiastical authority.