Can a priest deny us the sacrament of marriage because we are pregnant?

[Jimmygill88]

This Priest sounds like he’s a bureaucrat rather than a Pastor. Had people been refused marriage simply on the basis of pregnancy in the past there would have been a few red faces. Not returning phone calls?? This fella needs to get over himself.

 

[mardukm]

This Priest sounds like he’s a bureaucrat rather than a Pastor.

How so?

Had people been refused marriage simply on the basis of pregnancy in the past there would have been a few red faces.

You should read the entire thread. Marriages are never refused on the basis of pregnancy. They are refused if the pastor deems that the couple are not ready for marriage - e.g., do not have the proper intentions for marriage. This is all just gossip at this point. The OP never spoke to the priest, so how can you assume he broke the appointment for that reason?

Not returning phone calls?? This fella needs to get over himself.

The OP spoke to the assistant because the appointment had to be broken. What more do you want?

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Ruthie_again]

im1234, any updates?

Bless you. thinking about you.

Copied and pasted:
I had surgery on my left hand on Oct. 11th, which means I must hunt and peck with my right hand. That is so slow that I plan to desert my usual grammar and spelling for the next few days, until I can use my right hand a little. Thank you all for your patience!

 

[SDCC]

I read your entire question and it seems to me that the priest is not understanding that the two of you (now 3) have been engaged a long time and dated for a long time; even though you changed the marriage date due to financial difficulties - it just seems to me that the priest would let you get married. I am so sorry that you are suffering such a huge amount of stress during this joyful time of being pregnant and I applaud you and your fiancé for trying to do the right thing and then still trying after a seemingly slap in the face. What happened to the Bible verse about God taking care of the birds, so why would we worry that He will not take care of us? Just so you know, I married my husband early because I was pregnant - we have been married for 35 years in October this year. If I were you, I would go to a different priest and tell him your whole story and see if you get a different response. When I married my spouse, I wasn’t even Catholic - I began the process of becoming Catholic and was baptized on Easter with my daughter and I also was confirmed that same time. I promise you that each and every priest has different opinions about your question. My husband’s uncle is a priest and he is the one who married us October 6, 1978 - our daughter was born April 2, 1979. We both were baptized on April 16, 1979. As a little background, I was raised southern Baptist and then my parents didn’t go to church anymore so our neighbors took me and my brothers to their Methodist church during our childhood. I know all sides of being protestant and catholic - I love being Catholic and had always wanted to be Catholic and God did bless me with my husband. Do both you and your fiancé go to the same church? Were both of your families at the same church? Honestly, I can’t believe that you are being given a hard time about this. Your child growing within your womb is a gift from God and nobody should make you feel guilty about the fact that God gave this gift to you and your fiancé. In regards to financial difficulty - that is just something that is so very common during this period of time with most people be they married or not. Oh, one more thing - I had met my husband in May 1978 and we found ourselves one month later in a passionate situation that resulted in pregnancy. So, the fact is my situation is a whole lot different than yours and not one person gave me a hard time - not even the parish priest where we got married - in fact, the priest who baptized my daughter and me was truly an awesome man and I will never ever forget how very special he was. My parents converted a year later, but neither of my brothers converted. My maternal grandmother died thinking I had become a “statue worshiper” because I converted. That same grandmother taught me most of the best Bible verses in the Bible and she repeated them to me my entire life. I have a saying about “bad” priests - what better way for the devil to turn people away from the church than to have a strange priest be judging or whatever else a priest might do that is not nice. Do not become discouraged about this - please go to another priest and even another one if that priest says the same thing - do not give-up. God is with you now and forever. I am praying for you as I write this. Do not worry because you must have faith and you must trust in God that all will work out for you. I am so sorry about your situation, so very sorry. Trust in Jesus and please do not lose your faith in Him - even if you have to go to a court house and then marry again - just do what you have to do. These sure are strange times. Did you write Pope Francis and tell him your story? I would do that too. In regards to other people getting married and doing it “the right way” there are absolutely no guarantees that just because “they” did follow the “program” that their marriage will not end in divorce. God knows every hair on your body and everything about you and everything you do - He knows. Be strong and carry on. Go to the top if you have to - and in the end I promise you - all will be fine. May God bless you and your family now and forever. May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you now and forever. Thank you for sharing your story and being so brave.

 

[agw123]

Actually the priest may be doing MORE harm financially to the parents and child by not marrying them. Marriage is generally required to get someone (i.e. a new born) on a someone’s health insurance. WIthout them being married, the baby would have to be covered on the mother’s insurance (or lack thereof). If the father has insurance or a better one than the mother, once they are married, she can immediately go on his, or he can go on her’s.