As far as the Church today is concerned both Roman Catholics and Protestant denominations remain largely divided over the issue of divorce although both would place great value on role of marriage in society. Furthermore, a married couple are believed to be 'one flesh' and so even if a couple were to get a civil divorce Roman Catholics believe they are still married as far as God is concerned. However, that aside Roman Catholics do allow for the ending of a marriage if, and only if, there has not been a propar marriage in the first place. If one partner was mentally unstable at the time of the marriage. In each of these cases the marriage would be annulled.
Annulment is a declaration which says there was no propar marriage in the first place.
Catholics whose marriages are annulled are free to remarry in church even if their previous 'partner' is still alive. A number of Protestant denominations would follow the Roman Catholic teaching that even if a couple get a civil divorce they are still married in the sight of God. Although many Christians are not happy to accept divorce unless one partner has been unfaithful, Jesus' teaching on this matter is not completely clear. Furthermore, Jesus also seems to bring a new emphasis on love and forgiveness in the context of relationships that have gone wrong. One by one the men leave the scene until only Jesus is left with the woman.