A recent poll of people who attend Catholic Mass in England and Wales found that, despite their beliefs in the Church, they feel that "separation or divorce is better than an unhappy marriage between incompatible people." The poll also showed that the majority of those interviewed used contraception and cohabited before marriage, despite the Church's teachings.

The Von Hugel Institute at Cambridge University conducted the poll of 1,500 practicing Catholics, which found that more than half of those between 18 and 45 had lived together before marriage.

Francis Davies, of the Institute, said, "What is surprising is the scale of which people in the survey decided not to follow the teaching. The majority cohabited before marriage; the majority use contraception."

As for separation and divorce, 71 percent of the practicing Catholic interviewed felt it was better than an unhappy marriage, while 88 percent said they knew that the Catholic Church considers marriage "a lifelong commitment despite any difficulties."

That survey results come as comfort to Catholic women who have thought about divorce, but donít want to go against the teachings of the Church.

It seems that, in the United Kingdom at least, good Catholics can believe in the Church and still leave a failed marriage.