Confirmation without Annulment?

[karow]

Does a Catholic who’s been civilly married and divorced need an annulment before she can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? She received First Communion as a child and now would like to be confirmed in the Church.

Apologies in advance if this topic’s been covered a bazillion times already.

 

[puzzleannie]

not enough info
she needs to sit down with the priest when she is first beginning her confirmation preparation, or with the person he delegates, and discuss her situation.

short answer: a baptized but unconfirmed Catholic who is divorced but has not remarried and is otherwise in the state of grace (sacramental confession and absolution) is a candidate for Confirmation.

However, and it is a big one, if you came to me I would strenuously advise you to proceed with annulment unless you were much older and had no intention to remarry. No, strictly speaking the annulment is not required but almost every year there is a candidate who is confirmed, swears they have no intention of remarrying, and within a year has married outside the Church and is now barred from the sacraments, and this is simply heart-breaking.

I would as part of your preparation have you meet with the deacon or priest to make sure you have good pastoral counselling regarding your marital status because there are so many variables outside my competence. You would sign a statement that you had received this advice and understand remarriage without annulment is impossible. As part of our Confirmation class we have one session where the deacon teaches on marriage, and stays after to be available for individual private questions.

 

[karow]

short answer: a baptized but unconfirmed Catholic who is divorced but has not remarried and is otherwise in the state of grace (sacramental confession and absolution) is a candidate for Confirmation.

She (I’m not referring to myself in the 3rd person, promise) wants to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, as made an appointment with a priest for next week, and wants to prepare herself for the meeting with regards to what he’s likely to tell her.

I’ve urged her, even if she can be Confirmed without one, to start the annulment process anyway, in case she wants to marry again at some point in the future.

Thanks for the info, Annie.

 

[joanofarc2008]

Puzzle annie has given good advice. Most likely all she will need to do is a lack of form which is very simple and does not take much time in most dioceses. However there is not enough information from what you have stated to be sure. I will pray for her - please check back in and let us know how she makes out.

 

[FAB]

Does a Catholic who’s been civilly married and divorced need an annulment before she can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? She received First Communion as a child and now would like to be confirmed in the Church.

Apologies in advance if this topic’s been covered a bazillion times already.

The Church does not recognize your civil marriage, as such there are no impedaments to be confirmed, go the sacrament of reconcilation so you can be in a state of grace to recieve the sacrament.

 

[joanofarc2008]

The Church does not recognize your civil marriage, as such there are no impedaments to be confirmed, go the sacrament of reconcilation so you can be in a state of grace to recieve the sacrament.

As stated by other posters that is not always true. It is true in most cases. This does need to be official before one should go ahead with any Sacrament.

 

[FAB]

As stated by other posters that is not always true. It is true in most cases. This does need to be official before one should go ahead with any Sacrament.

She will need to go through adult confirmation class, during that time the priest or deacon can assess her case, but with what she indicated, there are no impediments for her to be able to proceed.

Deacon Frank

 

[joanofarc2008]

She will need to go through adult confirmation class, during that time the priest or deacon can assess her case, but with what she indicated, there are no impediments for her to be able to proceed.

Deacon Frank

Correct and no one is arguing this - if you go back to my original statement. My comment was made in direct argument to another poster that made a very black and white statement concerning this person’s status. There is no harm in taking the class regardless. Only the priest and tribunal can determine her actual status.

 

[Vico]

Does a Catholic who’s been civilly married and divorced need an annulment before she can receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? She received First Communion as a child and now would like to be confirmed in the Church.

Apologies in advance if this topic’s been covered a bazillion times already.

Latin Code of Canon Law, for a valid Confirmation §1, for licitness §2:
Can. 889
§1. Every baptized person not yet confirmed and only such a person is capable of receiving confirmation.
§2. To receive confirmation licitly outside the danger of death requires that a person who has the use of reason be suitably instructed, properly disposed, and able to renew the baptismal promises.
And the Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 1310:
To receive Confirmation one must be in a state of grace. One should receive the sacrament of Penance in order to be cleansed for the gift of the Holy Spirit.