How Pope Benedict unwittingly made the Catholic case for 'conscious uncoupling'

If a pope can painlessly walk away from his relationship with the Catholic flock, why do divorced laypeople need annulment?

Divorce
(Image credit: (Illustration by Lauren Hansen | Images courtesy Thinkstock))

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.