Relief of such pain is very much part of the ministry of Jesus. We create hospitals and orphanages, develop prison ministries and homes for the aging. Yet we are all but silent in the face of the problems of dissolved marriages even when they are annulled. A personal ritual would help bring closure to those who are angry, hurt, depressed, lonely, or isolated. It would help to focus such feelings within a supportive spiritual wisdom tradition.
Marriage is, after all, tribal.
Our vows are almost always made in public. The public is told that this man and woman wish to form a new family unit. If they have children they will pass on more than their name they will pass on their blood and their heritage. Maybe we've been so busy trying to make marriage work that we haven't noticed how many men and women have found a way to ignore the wisdom of the church and the wishes of the tribe. It would be good for the church to face this upsetting reality and to allow those hurt by this dis-union to be comforted by the faith community and the rich heritage of the church.