Mission
Catholics for Marriage Restoration (CFMR) assists unjustly abandoned or reluctantly separated men and women who remain faithful to their marriage vows as they hope for reconciliation.
Core Principles
- CFMR accepts all the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Separated and divorced Catholics who have not received Declarations of Nullity for their past marriages are recognized by the Church as still being validly married and should act accordingly.
- A civil divorce has no effect on the validity of a Christian marriage.
- Separated and divorced Catholics who have not received a Declaration of Nullity are assumed to be in a valid marriage, and should not engage in activities with members of the opposite sex that would be deemed inappropriate for happily married spouses.
- If someone is assumed to be in a valid marriage he should not engage in activities with other members of the opposite sex that would not be appropriate if he was happily married to his spouse.
- Unless there is a concern of serious harm to someone, separated and divorced individuals are encouraged to reconcile with their spouses.
- Divorced and separated Catholics should forgive their spouses and pray for their salvation.
Spiritual Formation and Daily Prayer
Since 2021, members have participated in a daily Rosary conference call (in partnership with Mary's Advocates), followed by time for fellowship. Our retreats offer opportunities for Mass, Confession, Adoration, and spiritual direction.
Guidance and Education
We provide guidance and education to our members, primarily by connecting them with faithful professionals. Our ministry works with experienced experts, including:
- Pastors and priests
- Judicial vicars and canon law experts
- Licensed therapists and counselors
- Leaders from the Retrouvaille marriage ministry
- Noted Catholic authors and apologists on marriage and divorce
- Retired lawyers experienced in family matters
Members connect directly with these experts via monthly Zoom meetings. Additionally, weekly book studies serve as another valuable educational resource for spiritual growth and understanding.
This comprehensive approach ensures diverse and faithful support for our members. We are also developing custom resources for priests, seminarians, therapists, and lay people who encounter those struggling with marital separation or abandonment.
Retreat
Our signature event is an annual retreat designed for spiritual renewal and fellowship. Plans are underway for our second retreat, scheduled for October 22-24, 2025, at The Archdiocese of Atlanta Chancery. The retreat features daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, engaging speakers, and shared meals.
Credibility and Supporters
CFMR's work and annual retreat have garnered recognition from several Catholic media outlets, including National Catholic Register, The Georgia Bulletin, 1160 AM The Quest Atlanta Catholic Radio, The Simple Truth radio program, and A Catholic Take with Joe McClane radio program.
We are honored to have the support of priests, canon lawyers, therapists, and ministry leaders who have joined us as speakers at our retreats or on Zoom calls:
Clergy/Canonists
- Fr. Robert Altier, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (South St. Paul, Minn.)
- Fr. Nathanael Block, judicial vicar, Diocese of Gallup, and pastor, Our Lady of the Snow Roman Catholic Church (Snowflake, Ariz.)
- Fr. Elias Dorham, pastor, St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church (Atlanta, Ga.)
- Fr. Don Halpin, Conventional Franciscan Friars (Oh.)
- Fr. Tim Hepburn, pastor, St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church (Gainseville, Ga.)
- Fr. Dan Ketter, JCL, pastor, Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church (Atlanta, Ga.)
- Fr. Jared Kleinwaechter, parochial vicar, Cathedral of Christ the King (Atlanta, Ga.)
- Fr. Elias Mary Mills, Franciscans of the Immaculate
- Fr. Scott Woods, pastor, Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church (La Plata, Md.)
- Dr. Félix Menéndez, JCD, STL
Authors/Therapists/Ministry Leaders
- LeeAnne Abel, founder/director/CEO, Rightly Ordered
- Dr. Christine Bacon, author of The Super Couple: A Formula for Extreme Happiness in Marriage, founder/director/CEO of Sacred Standers
- Karen and Bob Botte, Retrouvaille leaders (Atlanta, Ga.)
- John Clark, author of Betrayed without A Kiss: Defending Marriage after Years of Failed Leadership in the Church
- Catherine Godfrey-Howell, author of Consensual Incapacity to Marry
- Patrick Metts, Associate Director, Archdiocese of Atlanta Office of Evangelization and Discipleship
- Leila Miller, author of Impossible Marriages Redeemed: They Didn't End the Story in the Middle and Primal Loss: The Now Adult Children of Divorce Speak
- Kevin Sevcik, therapist, Transfiguration Counseling (Atlanta, Ga.)
- Beverly Willett, retired lawyer and author of Disassembly Required: A Memoir of Midlife Resurrection