Children outside of marriage and catholic living

[DMMCG]

I would like help with a question about catholic marriage please.

My son has a child outside of marriage and is no longer together with his mother. There is no possibility of them being married. Now however, he and his son are both practising catholic. .He has tried his best to be a good father to his son and the boy adores him. My grandson lives with his mother who is not catholic. Now after many years alone, my son has met a nice catholic woman. My question is - is he free to marry
and can he be married in the catholic church.? My second part - would it be morally correct?

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Yes, he is free to marry.

As long as the woman has accepted the child as if the child were her own then it is morally fine.

That said, utmost caution should be taken as well as extensive pre-marital counselling for your son, his future wife and his child.

 

[Anicette]

As an ecclesiastical judge said us,

Marriage is possible. Yet, the fiancé will have to answers some questions dealing with : his relations with his son and ex girlfriend, and if he satisfy his legal duties.

If the situation if conflictual or if he doesn’t pay his maintenance allowance, the marriage may be postpone.

 

[DMMCG]

Thank you for your help.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

My question is - is he free to marry and can he be married in the catholic church? My second part - would it be morally correct?

Assuming there are no impediments to marriage, the answer is yes. Having a child is not an impediment. He does have obligations to the child, of course, and his wife would have to accept that.

 

[DMMCG]

Thank you. No there are no impediments and he has of course supported his son. There is no conflict with his mother but at times things have been a bit frantic and erratic. Obviously she is free to make her own choices and he has had to accept that in order to keep some kind of parenting relationship and do the best for his son. This new woman totally accepts his responsibilities and his son and the boy is fond of her. I hope and pray that things work out .