Can I come back????

[Squeaky]

Hi,
I wanted to know if I can return to the catholic church after being gone for so long, its a long story but here it goes;
I was baptized catholic by my stepfather, then baptized luthern by my mother a month later in secret from what I was told. At 13 I was sent to a catholic girls school and received communion there. I left the school after becoming pregnant at 16. I married an aethiest at 18 and he was abusive so our marraige only lasted 10 months. I then had 2 daughters out of wedlock and finally settled down with a wonderful man 7 years ago-we were married at a courthouse and we now share a 6 year old daughter as well as we are raising my 2 other daughters who are 12 and 8. My 12 year old I had baptized catholic shortly after she was born as she had serious health problems. My other 2 have not been baptized yet…I have recently contacted my natural father who has urged me to return to the catholic faith, as well as having my husband (he is luthern-baptized and confirmed, but wants to be catholic) baptized and also my daughters. Can I come back to the catholic church? Will my husband and children be welcome? Will the church recognize our marraige? Does it recognize my first marriage or divorce? I feel I have fallen so far away, I dont know my way back! Please help!!!

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

You can never get so far away that it is impossible to come back to Christ and the Church he established for you. Remember the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32) as an illustration of this.

I recommend that you contact your local priest immediately to make an appointment for confession. All of your sins can be absolved there. You will also need to have your first marriage attempt annulled and your current marriage convalidated. Until this is taken care of I recommend that you do not live as though you are married (in other words, no conjugal relations). If you commit to this you can begin receiving the Eucharist again (after confession).

To live fully the sacramental life you will want to talk to your priest about being confirmed. Since your husband has already been baptized he cannot be baptized again (the Church recognizes his Lutheran baptism as being valid) but he can be confirmed and share in the other sacraments as well. And since you plan to raise your children as Catholics they can – and should – be baptized as soon as possible.

Your family is in our prayers. Welcome back!