In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Marriage and Divorce: Building up and mending the Church – The Inner Life – June 18, 2026

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father Ramil Fajardo joins Deacon Patrick Conley to discuss Marriage and Divorce: Building up and mending the Church

  • Why is Marriage important for the Church?
  • (12:31) what happens to marriages that don’t work?
  • (16:58) Bai – I run an organization that helps people with marriage after divorce. We teach divorce is a great offense. What about no-fault divorce? Distinction between way state views it vs church. Seems to be a silence about this in the public arena.
  • John – I’m married 60 years this October. Quality in and quality out. Until you find that quality person, you’re probably not ready for marriage. Negative comments…cutting remarks…when we do that, it hurts them and not a good way to start a marriage. Build each other up not down.

(25:07) Break 1

  • (27:10) Michelle – My husband an I celebrating 40 years. His family thought it wouldn’t last. Love (caritas) change a couple of letters and it becomes charity. Be forgiving, gratitude, establish traditions, patience. Laughter…it can be witty, silly, between the 2 of you. Look for the positives. There will be challenges.
  • (30:42) Patrick – Vocations crisis. Any thought if there’s a parallel between that and divorce rate in broken families? Divorce rate equals vocations crisis.
  • John Farrellon X – How can *any* divorce be natural?

(39:02) Break 2

  • Can separation ever be a good idea among Married Couples?
  • (44:03) Olga -My parents divorce when I was 18. We moved to the US. After I got married, having trouble coping with this divorce. How can I overcome what my parents did? I’m trying to keep my marriage alive.

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.