Can I be allowed back in Church

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totallostmyway

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I am not sure if this is right place to place, but have a feeling I may get the best answers here. Story is long, so I apologize.

In 2005, after attending WYD and truly being touched by god and the holy spirit, things w/in my marriage deteriored rapidly. I lived in a physically and emotional abusive marriage for 21 yrs and had made a resolution if I was hit again, I was done. I had asked my exH for counceling for over a month, and finally he accused me of having an affair, which I was not, and hit me. My children called the police and things just headed for divorce from there. I contacted and seeked the advice of 3 priests, all in support of my decision. I also sought councel from the youth/music minister w/ whom I was comfortable and close with at the time. The relationship w/ the minister esculated to an adultress affair(emotional not physical) and was brought to the attention of both churches and his family. It was at that point that both churches told me to not go, and never to attend there services again. The MM and myself had no contact and I attended another parish, sought confession from 4 other priests and was told over and over again that until I was willing to stop loving this man, that I was not to attend church, pray, participate in sacriments, etc until such time as I could say I no longer love him, and I would never again comit to any relationship w/ him. I have been struggling w/ this, trying to find my way back since.
About 1 month later, he contacted me to see how I was, since we had always been very close friends first. He was still at both churches in his ministry copacity and attended church weekly. He was seeking counceling and working on his marriage. I did not contact him and contined my soul searching all the while protecting him and his family from the rath of my ex who felt that was why we were getting divorced and threaten to publicly humilate this man and his family.
I had no contact and moved forward until 6 months later when he contacted me again and I realized how very much I still loved him, willing to go the ends of the earth, etc to be with him. He told he loved me, wanted to be with me, etc but still had to give his marriage a chance. We did then have an adultress relationship that spanned 2+ yrs, him always telling me that he was working on how to leave. The relationship again became known to his wife and family and when I told him to make choose, he choose to work on his marriage since they told him he would no longer be able to have contact with his grandson if he didn’t.
I am still lost in where or how to return to god, jesus and the church since I still have such mix feelings about my soulmate. I know in my heart that as the “dust settles” he will be back and I will take him back. That is the sin that I can not let go of and seperates me from the church I love so much. I cry everyday over both of them… even my daughters know how very much this means to who I am, and though there point of view is “if he can go and preach everyweek, why can’t you go? You are dening yourself alone” I can’t see it that way. I am just following the rules and judgments set before me, but don’t know how to make it right. Any help is appreciated… I miss god in my life so much, it is something that I can’t even describe…
 
You must make a choice, whom do you love more - this man or God.

If you answer, God - cut off all contact. Change your phone number and your email address. Never respond again if this man contacts you.

Every time you think of him, pray for his wife and his marriage.

Spend time looking at a Crucifix and in Adoration of the Sacrament and ask Jesus to take away the romantic lies that are in your heart (you know that this relationship is sinful and not from God, so, it is a lie).

God is powerful, God will heal you IF you turn it all over to Him.

Go to Confession. Pray, give it to GOD.
 
Forgive me but that doesn’t sound anything like a Catholic Church at all…
 
Forgive me but that doesn’t sound anything like a Catholic Church at all…
It does seem odd that someone would be told not to pray or enter a Church - sometimes when people are hurt, emotions cloud what is said?

I can understand that if I were to confess a sin - in this case, adultery - the Priest asks if I have ceased contact with the person, and do I intend to stay away from him, to never sin again - if I were to answer “but he is my soulmate and if he calls I know I will run to him” - the Priest could not grant me absolution. Absolution depends on the person having a firm purpose of amendment, a desire to not sin again.

Prayers for the OP that she can get to that point, to desire to never contact this person again.
 
One more thing, even if absolution was denied, a Catholic still is bound to attend Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation. Because one is in mortal sin and cannot rec does has no bearing on attending Mass.
 
You need to be at Mass and Adoration. Do NOT take the Eucharist until you have been absolved, but yes go into the building.

God still loves you. But I think YOU are the one who needs to make a choice. GOD or that man.
 
I guess you are all missing what I have been told:DO NOT COME BACK To church, pray, receive sacraments… My question is since I am NOT ALLOWED how am I to find the strength or the way back… Have been struggling with this for 2 1/2 yrs… An why is my end of the sin worse then his…Is it cause I am truthful in my heart and because I don’t lie?
 
Guess some of my confusion in this relationship is that in more ways then one, it was god that brought us together— either that or I am just so naive and he is just a massive liar. Because he is a minister, why is he allowed to continue all duties and I am not allowed to be in the lords house? Or even to worship? Yes, this was stated by all catholic priests to me-- 7 times over. How many times must I be rejected before I am accepted or should I just seek faith somewhere else…I have never denouced God, in fact i cry over the fact that I have been told to push him away until I can get this black weight off my heart… Just waiting for it to go, I only hear him calling me to get HOME now…
 
Drive to another city, see another priest. Go to confession. You will be able to think much more clearly without the burden of the mortal sins. But remember, you have to mean it when you seek to “go and sin no more”
 
Guess some of my confusion in this relationship is that in more ways then one, it was god that brought us together— either that or I am just so naive and he is just a massive liar. Because he is a minister, why is he allowed to continue all duties and I am not allowed to be in the lords house? Or even to worship? Yes, this was stated by all catholic priests to me-- 7 times over. How many times must I be rejected before I am accepted or should I just seek faith somewhere else…I have never denouced God, in fact i cry over the fact that I have been told to push him away until I can get this black weight off my heart… Just waiting for it to go, I only hear him calling me to get HOME now…
No, I don’t believe it was God. It was a weakness and bad decision on the part of you both and since God gave you free will, he allowed you to make it. And yes, you are naive and he is a liar. But God can make good come out of bad. However, in this instance, it will probably not be in the way that you think you want.

I believe you misunderstood. Yes… going back to the church where this man would be is not a good idea. However I find it hard to believe that priests would tell you not to go to Mass (of course excluding yourself from the Eucharist until you have been absolved) or pray at any parish.

Why are you focusing on the fact that this man is accepted in his Church and you are not? He has probably not been truthful. They probably don’t know. Is this really the kind of man you would want even if he was available? That is not the issue you should be focused on.

Secondly…this story is so tragic and common and you are too close to the forest to see the trees. This man is NOT going to leave his family for you. This is not love. This is just another form of abuse which you have submitted yourself to. Find yourself a priest at a different parish, confess and tell the truth, pray and beg God for forgiveness and strength. And while you’re at it, pray for this man and his family. Ask the Blessed Mother for help. Good luck.
 
I, like others here, do not believe that you are forbidden to enter a church or to pray. In fact, I searched Canon Law for quite a while. I could find no such penalty.

I have read elsewhere that the Church’s penalties are all designed to help you return to full communication with the Church. Banning you from Mass does not do this.
I know in my heart that as the “dust settles” he will be back and I will take him back.
As long as this is true, you may not receive the Eucharist, and any confession you make will be invalid.
it was god that brought us together
I don’t believe this for a minute. God does **not **create an occasion for sin. He does **not **create a situation resulting in anyone’s mortal sin. He does **not **tempt us to sin. Who tempts us to sin? Satan.

If you really love this man, you should give him up. By participating in mortal sin with him, you are helping each other turn away from God, and keeping each other from Heaven. Real love wants the loved one to get to heaven above all. Telling him to go away is the most loving thing you can do; it is completely unselfish.

I suggest that you pray for the willingness to give this man up.

God bless you; I’ll pray for you.

Ruthie
 
willing to go the ends of the earth
will you be willing to go to hell for him? in addition to breaking the 6th and 9th commandment, your adulterous partner has become for you an idol-- you love relationship with him more than you love good sense, more than you love peace, more than you love being a good example to your children, more than you love God.

to die with deliberate, obstinate, unrepented mortal sin on your soul is damnation.
CCC 1035 Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.
if you think this present separation from God has been bad, you won’t like hell.

you haven’t so much business worrying about the fellow, his church or his ‘ministry’. your responsibility is to reconcile your relationship with God.
 
Been doing alot of thinking and personal assement and listening to you and others… Guess now the question is, I can’t go back to the Catholic Church( the only ones that would not know are 4 hrs away–told you, He is very active in the whole dicioses as was I) so what is the best alternative… Suggestions greatly appreciated. Luthern from me is definitly out…Been there, Done that, had a tee shirt threw it away…
 
If you are holding up your end by not contacting him and he still continues to contact you, I would notify whomever put the “restrictions” on your attendance. Why should you be basically banned while he continues to make contact and he is the one that is still able to continue his position in the diocese…i would attend a CATHOLIC church that is near, and go on doing what I am supposed to do; attending Mass, recieving Sacraments, and having no contact with him. Even if he happens to attend the same Mass as you do, you dont have to speak or look at him, just focus on our Lord. Keep praying and doing as you should and God will make sure you have the strength to stay on the right track!
 
Been doing alot of thinking and personal assement and listening to you and others… Guess now the question is, I can’t go back to the Catholic Church( the only ones that would not know are 4 hrs away–told you, He is very active in the whole dicioses as was I) so what is the best alternative… Suggestions greatly appreciated. Luthern from me is definitly out…Been there, Done that, had a tee shirt threw it away…
Someone “knowing” at the Church is not the problem. Embarrassment may just be one of the crosses you must bear. The problem is being in the same parish “with him”. Find a parish close enough to attend that he does not attend. Talk to the priest. Tell him your problem. Be honest. But you must want this sincerely. Do not worry about people at the new parish knowing and “judging” you. There will always be those. That is their sin. But there will be people who, if you are sincere and no longer engaged in the sin, will help you back. Good luck.
 
Yes I am having NC… I promised my daughter. The issue is the priests have told me not to attend their churchs for fear of controversy I guess. We are a small community and I did try to go to a mass not that long ago, and the father did come to me before mass and asked that I please leave. For everyone, I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, him, his wife, people in the community. I do understand that it is both of our faults. I do understand that his postion in the church is first and foremost to them. I do understand that my portion in this sin is greater then his-- although I never “made the first move” I didnt have the strenghth to say no… especially when I was told he by him that his marriage was ending and I believed in his words that he wanted to start our life together as soon as…
 
Ummm. if he asked you to leave then the same punishment should apply to him also, especially someone that is involved in the Church. Going by what you have told us, why would your part in the sin be greater than his? I would definitly make an appointment with the priest(s) and discuss what you are trying to do (not have contact, recieve sacraments…) AND let them know that he has tried contacting you and said that he was leaving his wife…How can they expect you to to as you should and get back to the sacraments if they dont allow you to go to Mass? No way buddy~if I couldnt go to Mass, he wouldnt either…
 
Have thought about that but to me that is revenge and even after being in an abusive marriage for 21 yrs, I don’t hate or wish any ill will on my ex husband, just that he is happy and makes a relationship with his daughters, so I can’t do that to this man either. Maybe I messed up but have always been taught the priests are the messengers of god’s word and work, so even though they are human we have to trust in their decisions for the good of all not one. If it is better for me not be there for the good of all fine, but doesn’t help me heal… Maybe I am just being selfish in trying to find my way back. But my opa taught me that god does love all of us, no matter what as long as we try to do our best, be our best, love w/all our hearts, and remember others before self…
I don’t have many choices of other faiths around here, just know that without prayer, communion, etc, I may go through each day, but the biggest part of my heart is black, empty and do fear that I will teach my daughters that is all that life and love is… even though I do know better… My youngest was with me at WYD2005 and there when I was touched…that is what frustrates her the most about all of this…in her eyes, it is I who belong there more… but I don’t believe “WE” are to judge that, it is upto god and to the priests…
 
Yes I am having NC… I promised my daughter. The issue is the priests have told me not to attend their churchs for fear of controversy I guess. We are a small community and I did try to go to a mass not that long ago, and the father did come to me before mass and asked that I please leave. For everyone, I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable, him, his wife, people in the community. I do understand that it is both of our faults. I do understand that his postion in the church is first and foremost to them. I do understand that my portion in this sin is greater then his-- although I never “made the first move” I didnt have the strenghth to say no… especially when I was told he by him that his marriage was ending and I believed in his words that he wanted to start our life together as soon as…
I am having trouble accepting that there is no priest that isn’t more concerned with your soul than fear of controversy at his church unless there is something in this story that you have not told us. Find a priest that is not at his parish and talk to him. But do not put the priest in the situation of believing what you say and then you doing something to embarrass his faith in you. Be honest.

And please remember…do not reach out or RESPOND to this man. Look what he has left you to suffer while he goes on. This is not love and never was. But don’t kick yourself over it. It happens. Give yourself the respect that he didn’t. Beg for forgiveness, correct the sin, move on.
 
It is time for you to contact the Diocese, speak to someone in the Bishop’s office.
 
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