Advocacy for Abandoned Spouses Fulfills Synod’s Call

See full story at National Catholic Register HERE

Mary’s Advocates fills a gap in marriage ministries, by assisting Catholics whose spouses want to leave their sacramental unions.

BY STEPHEN BEALE 01/07/2016

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — “We have four children.”

Such is the fairly normal way Bai Macfarlane describes her family. Except, in the eyes of the secular courts, there is no we: Macfarlane and her husband have been divorced since 2004.

But as far as the Church is concerned, she and her husband are still married. So Macfarlane is remaining faithful to their vows, in spite of the separation, civil divorce and a separated spouse who does not share her commitment to the indissolubility of marriage.

“The culture says: Once you’re separated and divorced, your marriage is over. Your marriage is ended; you’re single again,” Macfarlane said. “That’s not true.”

Macfarlane did everything in her power to stop the divorce, fighting it all the way to the Ohio Supreme Court, which did not accept her appeal. Even as she was fighting her own battles, she founded an apostolate, Mary’s Advocates, to help others like her. The apostolate aids those defending their marriages against accusations of nullity and provides spiritual succor to those seeking to remain faithful in a separation. (The name is inspired by her devotion to Mary.)

“We support people who know in their heart of hearts that their marriage isn’t over or ended. Yes, they’re separated and divorced, but that’s just a civil matter. That has nothing to do with truth,” Macfarlane said.

Such commitment mirrors Christ’s love for the Church. “We look to Jesus. And what does Jesus do for people who betray him? He doesn’t turn around and say, ‘Oh, they’re not my people anymore.’ He hangs in there. So we hang in their, being faithful to our marriages,” Macfarlane said.

Anticipating the Synod

In a way, her decade-old ministry anticipated the call issued by the recent synod on the family to show “appreciation and support” for the “witness of those who, even in difficult conditions, do not undertake a new union, remaining faithful to the sacramental link.” …

See full story at National Catholic Register HERE