According to Catholic teachings, why is religious divorce not permitted?

In Catholic teachings, the belief that divorce is not permitted stems primarily from the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospels, Jesus discusses the sanctity of marriage, stating that what God has joined together, no one should separate. This perspective emphasizes that marriage is a sacred covenant, not merely a human contract, and reflects a lifelong commitment that mirrors the relationship between Christ and the Church. Therefore, from a Catholic viewpoint, divorce undermines the divine intention of marriage as an indissoluble union.

The other options do not capture the fundamental religious reasoning: while marriage does involve legal considerations, the Catholic stance focuses on the spiritual dimensions rather than the contract with the state. The belief that religious commitment can change contradicts the Catholic understanding of marriage as a permanent sacrament. Likewise, while equality in relationships is important, it does not directly address the core reason for prohibiting divorce within Catholic teachings. Thus, the correct answer reflects the essence of Jesus' teachings regarding the permanence and sacred nature of marriage.