While for some Christians divorce is not permitted in the Scriptures, others whose marriage has broken down seek to start afresh through remarriage.

But divorce is a sin for those married by the Church - unless the remarried parties break up their marriage and live alone or reconcile with their original spouses.

It must be the duty of both the State and the Church to set up a team of counsellors to help those whose marriage has failed, in order to bring about a reconciliation of the couple by overcoming any problems that developed in their marriage.

Christ declares: "Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate." Jesus placed the emphasis where it belongs: not on a possible divorce (the Pharisees' concern), but on a lasting marriage. Nevertheless, He did not say that man cannot separate or put asunder the relationship, but that He "should not" or "ought not".

The Old Testament contained provisions for divorce, in effect exceptions to the general rule that marriage is for life and when one says "for life" it does really mean for life, and yes, "until death do us part".

We understand that Jesus is not making a new legislation regarding divorce in Matthew 19:9, nor is He changing the Old Testament meaning of divorce. Here one cannot read this verse without reading its continuation in verse 10 in which Jesus explained to them further on being asked by the disciples: "Then is it better not to marry?" and Jesus replied: "Not everyone can accept this statement."

In this way, He clearly meant that one can separate, but not remarry or live with another man or woman; that would be adultery, and a sin.

After all, did He not say that He had come not to destroy the Law, but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17)? So Christ instituted seven sacraments, including Holy Matrimony. So if Christ made marriage a sacrament, why are we breaking it up?