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Hi Zheng,
You said:
- What is the Catholic decree for a woman if she is separated
from her husband without having taken a legal divorce
over many years?
No second marriage can take place until there is a divorce, unless, of
course, the other spouse dies.
A divorce is not sufficient by itself. The Church must first examine
the first marriage to see if it was a valid Sacramental marriage. If it
is found to have been valid, then the person may never remarry so long
as the other spouse is still alive. If the Church finds that the first
marriage was invalid, then the Church grants an annulment.
In order for an annulment to be granted, the Church must
determine that, for some pre-existing
condition present at the time of the marriage, either spouse was unable to
enter into the Sacrament. There are several reasons why
annulments are granted. These include:
- serious emotional immaturity
of the persons when making their vow
- impotence, and/or
- a refusal to have children
The key part is: there has to be a pre-existing reason.
In other words, something that happens in the marriage,
such as infidelity might be cause for divorce, but it is
not, by itself, a reason for an annulment.
You said:
- Is it permissible for her within religious laws
to have sexual relationship with another man or to marry another
man without getting a divorce?
It is never permissible to have sex outside the sacrament of marriage.
If both people are not married, then it's the sin of fornication. If
either person is married, then it's both fornication and adultery.
You said:
- Is there any specific period of separation that makes her free
to marry another man without getting a divorce from
her ex-husband?
It doesn't matter how many years a couple has been separated or even divorced.
Sex outside of marriage is always a sin. A second marriage is never possible
unless the first marriage is determined to be invalid for some pre-existent
impediment.
You said:
- Are women allowed to marry men of other religions
like:
- Jewish
- Hindu
- Buddhist
- Muslim, or
- Atheist?
Marriage to people outside
the faith requires a dispensation from the Church. It
is allowed, but
I personally don't believe it's advisable,
especially if the person you are thinking of marrying
is not some type of Christian.
I hope this helps,
John
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