This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
Kenya: Is the Church View On Divorce and Remarriage Outdated? ¶
Published on August 3, 2019
Divorce is on the rise in Kenya, with over two percent of all legal marriages ending in divorce, according to the 2009 Population and Housing Census by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. This trend has led to a debate on the church's view on remarriage, with some arguing that it is outdated and punitive.
For Mercy, a 32-year-old ECDE teacher from Nairobi's Njiru, the fear of rejection in her church is what is keeping her in a toxic marriage. She has thought about leaving her husband, who has a history of violence, but is worried that she will no longer have a community to support her and her three-year-old daughter, who has severe Down's syndrome.
"The church is a big part of my life, I got married there. My daughter is accepted there. If I am a divorced woman, will anyone want to come to my house for prayers?" she wonders aloud.
Many Kenyans, like Mercy, are facing similar challenges in their marriages, with factors such as infidelity, violence, internal conflicts, finance, cultural and tribal differences, and the general lack of commitment cited as among the biggest causes of divorce.
However, the church's view on remarriage remains unchanged, with most churches, apart from the Catholic Church, not accepting remarriage after a divorce. The Nairobi Chapel, for example, has a policy that states: "Where marital breakdown or divorce happens, God calls us to honour the permanent bond that was forged between a husband and wife, and remain single for the rest of our life or reconcile with our partner. To marry another is to betray this bond. God calls this adultery."
But many are questioning the church's stance, with some arguing that it is unfair and punitive. "Yeah, so sad how we thrive in hypocrisy and condemnation in the name of the church doctrines," quipped one Facebook user.
"Being divorced does not mean God cannot use you," said yet another. "Do you wonder why people are leaving the church?" posed one user.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the church's view on remarriage will change to reflect the changing realities of modern life in Kenya.
