Being Catholic by Baptism/Confirmation and the Role of Consent

[Sy_Noe]

I’m not sure. I heard somewhere that former American citizens are required to file American tax returns, but I’m not sure how that would be enforced, or whether that’s really true. My formerly British father-in-law receives a British pension, even though he’s a Canadian citizen.

That’s true; you are technically bound by the laws of the Church.

I think it only causes material issues if the person leaves the Church and then tries to return after, say, marrying outside the Church. Even in that case, it would simply be a matter of having the marriage blessed in the Church.

If you are honestly convinced that the Church isn’t real, then I don’t see what difference it would make to you, one way or the other. It’s not as if there are “Church cops” who are going to come after you. It would only become an issue for you if you later decided to come back to the Church, and you had taken up a lifestyle that is contrary to Church teaching or Church law.

I don’t know if former citizens are for instance bound to file a tax return or not either. I thought perhaps only for the part of the yr they were still a citizen. But anyway I’m never 100% convinced I know much of anything for sure when it comes to matters of faith and God’s one ultimate truth. It’s faith afterall we are talking about. But because I don’t necessarily believe in some things, it doesn’t bother me all that much now. Still I just think people should have a way to leave and not be considered to still be bound if that’s what they choose. But I understand what you’re saying.

 

[jinglebelle]

No worries here.

Ditto