Absolution

[TheJason1975]

Hello,
New here but Catholic since childhood. I’ve been out of a state of grace for a few years now. I am currently working on rectifying that. I already know that I cannot receive the Eucharist until my previous marriage is annulled (in progress). I scheduled a confession today and was quite disappointed that I could not receive absolution until I had mine and my wife’s previous marriages annulled (easy enough due to lack of Canonical form).
This was something I had not expected. Father gave me a protective blessing and encouraged me to get my hiney in gear but I was still quite taken aback that I could not even participate in Penance…especially as a Penitent.

 

[stuart12]

Is there no way that you are your partner live apart while your annulment is in process? Then you would be able to receive absolution and the Eucharist.

 

[TheJason1975]

Is there no way that you are your partner live apart while your annulment is in process? Then you would be able to receive absolution and the Eucharist.

Stuart,
We have a 9 month old daughter together, a home and I am also her 9 year-old daughter’s stepfather. Father kicked me in the pants today (figuratively) and told me he wants our annulments applied for before Christmas. I was well aware of the fact that I cannot receive the Eucharist but this one threw me. I was very happy that Father prayed over me and gave me a good amount of encouragement. I know where I’m going and what I need to do. I just found it counter-intuitive (even to me, raised in the Catholic school system) that one could not participate in Penance unless one was in good standing with the Church. Does Penance not move one closer to God and, as such, closer to the Church?
Thank you for your quick response!
Jason

 

[otjm]

Stuart,
We have a 9 month old daughter together, a home and I am also her 9 year-old daughter’s stepfather. Father kicked me in the pants today (figuratively) and told me he wants our annulments applied for before Christmas. I was well aware of the fact that I cannot receive the Eucharist but this one threw me. I was very happy that Father prayed over me and gave me a good amount of encouragement. I know where I’m going and what I need to do. I just found it counter-intuitive (even to me, raised in the Catholic school system) that one could not participate in Penance unless one was in good standing with the Church. Does Penance not move one closer to God and, as such, closer to the Church?
Thank you for your quick response!
Jason

Without going into further detail (which would be too much information!) about your status, it may be one of several things: either the priest found that you did not have the requisite intent to avoid sin (you are effecitively in an adulterous situation) (having further intercourse with your wife is objectively an act of adultery); were in a situation where you could not form that intent (she would not agree to living “as brother and sister”), had some other legitimate reason to not give absolution, or was mistaken.

It is a harsh awakening. God bless you on your journey back. It is sometimes arduous.

Yes, the sacrament of Reconcilliation does move one back into God’s graces, but there are requirements particularly in a situation such as yours. It is the means of putting one in good standing with the Church, but there are circumstances where it is not appropriate at the immediate moment. Your priest evidently found that it was not the appropriate time.

 

[Julian0404]

Just to seque onto otjm’s very wise response. As part of your journey home, go purchase a copy of the CCC and begin to read again the faith and structure of the Church, starting with the Sacraments. And indeed, welcome home.

 

[Spirithound]

I just found it counter-intuitive that one could not participate in Penance unless one was in good standing with the Church. Does Penance not move one closer to God and, as such, closer to the Church?

It is not necessarily that one must be in “good standing” with the Church to receive Reconciliation, but that you cannot truly be reconciled if you are not intending to avoid the sin in the future. Until you receive declarations of nullity, you and your wife are committing adultery in having sexual relations. Please forgive me if you have brought this up with Father, but have you told him you would live as brother and sister with your wife until your situation is regularized?

 

[thistle]

Hello,
New here but Catholic since childhood. I’ve been out of a state of grace for a few years now. I am currently working on rectifying that. I already know that I cannot receive the Eucharist until my previous marriage is annulled (in progress). I scheduled a confession today and was quite disappointed that I could not receive absolution until I had mine and my wife’s previous marriages annulled (easy enough due to lack of Canonical form).
This was something I had not expected. Father gave me a protective blessing and encouraged me to get my hiney in gear but I was still quite taken aback that I could not even participate in Penance…especially as a Penitent.

Actually that is not correct.
Provided you and your wife cease to have a sexual relationship until the annulments are sorted out, or indeed live a life of permanent continence if they cannot sorted out then you both simply have to go to Confession and be reconciled to Christ and the Church and may receive Communion thereafter.