Confession question

[im_wildrose]

I have a friend who is currently in an invalid marriage. She was away from her faith when she married and wasn’t well catechised to start with so she didn’t understand the full impact of her actions. She is also brain damaged from a childhood injury. At any rate, her husband was married before so their marriage is invalid. She has received conflicting advice as to whether she can go to confession. One priest told her some time ago that she can not receive any sacraments, including reconciliation, but then another priest told her recently that this was incorrect and that she could receive reconciliation. Anyone know off hand if which is correct?

Thanks and God bless, Jen

 

[puzzleannie]

not enough info and only the priest in confession, and in ascertaining all the facts surrounding her marriage in a private interview outside confession, can make that determination. She needs to make an appointment outside confession with her current pastor, lay out all the facts of her marriage, and follow his advice on what to do to regularize her situation, and whether or not she can approach the sacraments.

 

[Gertabelle]

I have a friend who is currently in an invalid marriage. She was away from her faith when she married and wasn’t well catechised to start with so she didn’t understand the full impact of her actions. She is also brain damaged from a childhood injury. At any rate, her husband was married before so their marriage is invalid. She has received conflicting advice as to whether she can go to confession. One priest told her some time ago that she can not receive any sacraments, including reconciliation, but then another priest told her recently that this was incorrect and that she could receive reconciliation. Anyone know off hand if which is correct?

Thanks and God bless, Jen

If she is Catholic and is truly repentant of her sins, with every intention to avoid those (and other) sins in the future, she can absolutely receive the sacrament of reconciliation. If her marriage is obviously invalid (e.g., husband previously married in the Church and did not receive an annulment), but she resolves to remain celibate until her “marriage” is blessed by the Church (or she divorces her husband because he cannot get an annulment), she can confess her sins and then receive Holy Communion.

Her parish pastor can best answer her questions if she gives him the information about her marriage. But if she is not willing to remain celibate, then she cannot receive absolution in the sacrament of confession, nor is she allowed to receive Holy Communion.

Your post was somewhat vague. If your friend was married in a Catholic Church, then her marriage would be presumed valid.

The best thing you can do for your friend, whether you find the answers for her or not, is to pray for her. Make little sacrifices for her as well. Small things with great love – that was St. Therese’s and Blessed Mother Teresa’s way to salvation.

God bless you.

Gertie

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have a friend who is currently in an invalid marriage. She was away from her faith when she married and wasn’t well catechised to start with so she didn’t understand the full impact of her actions. She is also brain damaged from a childhood injury. At any rate, her husband was married before so their marriage is invalid. She has received conflicting advice as to whether she can go to confession. One priest told her some time ago that she can not receive any sacraments, including reconciliation, but then another priest told her recently that this was incorrect and that she could receive reconciliation. Anyone know off hand if which is correct?

Thanks and God bless, Jen

She cannot receive any Sacraments as long as she intends to continue living as though she is married, (living as husband and wife). If she intended to separate (even though they may continue living in the same house) she could have access to Reconciliation and then the other Sacraments.