Denied Confession

[smichhertz]

Thanks for the info everyone!

You’re welcome!

Please feel free to post back at any time if you have more questions. Also, if you need prayers, feel free to post in our prayer intentions forum. We’re always happy to offer prayers and you will be amazed what the power of prayer can do!

Best of luck! God bless you!

 

[glendab]

Hello Yes.

I actually plan to.

I appreciate all the replies so far. Seems the general consensus is get married, but if I can’t participate in sacraments while living in sin, I assume that includes marriage?

We moved in together while I was an atheist so I wasn’t really thinking about sin, I don’t know if we can afford to live separate.

Praise God and Congratulations on the impending engagement. Do you and your soon to be fiancé a big favor and go to Amazon and buy a copy of Catholicism of Dummies since the both of you will be needing a crash course in all things Catholic.

I’m sincerely happy for you and your girlfriend that the Holy Spirit is moving you to contrition and amendment. You are blessed more than you’re even aware.

Do not hesitate to keep coming here for your questions and answers. I’ll keep you in my prayers.

Glenda

 

[smichhertz]

I actually plan to.

I appreciate all the replies so far. Seems the general consensus is get married, but if I can’t participate in sacraments while living in sin, I assume that includes marriage?

We moved in together while I was an atheist so I wasn’t really thinking about sin, I don’t know if we can afford to live separate.

Marriage would be the remedy to the constant state of sin, so I’m pretty sure it would be valid.

The problem is that the Church generally prefers to go through a period of preparation for marriage that can last a significant amount of time. I’m sure that can be waived, but it might be worthwhile for you and your girlfriend to go through that process.

Think about it this way: going from atheist to Catholic is a big change in and of itself. Adding in marriage might be a lot to do at once.

Of course, that’s just my two cents. I’m sure you could talk to a priest about your situation and expedite the process if need be.

Above all else, know that God loves you and desires for you to be in communion with Him. You’re on the right track and have a good state of mind. Be at peace and know that God loves you!

 

[Bookcat]

pacatholic.org/bishops-statements/living-together/

(read to the end …much there for meditation)

 

[hooveam]

I actually plan to.

I appreciate all the replies so far. Seems the general consensus is get married, but if I can’t participate in sacraments while living in sin, I assume that includes marriage?

We moved in together while I was an atheist so I wasn’t really thinking about sin, I don’t know if we can afford to live separate.

So happy that Confession was on your heart. The Church believes in a natural right to marry, so I do not believe a priest can deny the Sacrament of Marriage. However, it is definitely better to abstain and live apart beforehand.

Here is a beautiful, beautiful link to a free mp3 download called Marriage and the Eucharist. It’s actually very funny and explains the Sacraments well. Hope you can listen. catholicity.com/cds/downloads/mp3.html

 

[maryjk]

Can someone do a partial confession, and then get partial absolution, or is confession an all or nothing process?** I can see how one can get so that do not realize they are living in sin.** Society has blessed cohabitation, and even promiscuity for over 40 years. In this case could the guy be forgiven for the other sins that he confessed, and has contrition for with the understanding that he does not have total absolution yet?

It was in Confession that I found out that I had to be married “in the Church.”

I had been married civilly for more than 10 years, when I mentioned it to a priest.

The gist of conversation was that once I found out that I was “living in sin,” I was culpable for that sin. BUT since I also planned to “make it right,” I was able to receive absolution.

If I was not willing to “make it right,” I would not have received absolution.

We started the paperwork to convalidate our marriage the next day. And completed the ceremony 3 months later.

 

[Hopey]

I actually plan to.

I appreciate all the replies so far. Seems the general consensus is get married, but if I can’t participate in sacraments while living in sin, I assume that includes marriage?

We moved in together while I was an atheist so I wasn’t really thinking about sin, I don’t know if we can afford to live separate.

God Bless You!
When you get discouraged, turn to God. Storm heaven and ask God to provide a way for you and your future wife to separate. Do not count the cost (money) but make it an offering to God as reparation for past sins and thanksgiving for your returning. Go to Mass and make spiritual communions as much as possible. You are in my prayers. Welcome home. Don’t give up hope even if it all seems hard/mess.

 

[McCartney]

I actually plan to.

I appreciate all the replies so far. Seems the general consensus is get married, but if I can’t participate in sacraments while living in sin, I assume that includes marriage?

We moved in together while I was an atheist so I wasn’t really thinking about sin, I don’t know if we can afford to live separate.

You can live in one house but not together - more like flat mates.

 

[McCartney]

I would suggest talking to a priest and getting some spiritual direction on this. I don’t think you should be in a catch-22 with the Sacrament of Marriage.

It is only a catch 22 situation if you make it so. As I said in an earlier post, they can live in the same house as flat mates; go to confession; and then on to marriage and living together.

 

[Deus_tecum]

It isn’t sufficient to just refrain from sex. They can’t live together, as they would be living in the near occasion of sin.

Maybe it depends on the Priest. I know a couple that lived together and had 2 kids. She is Catholic and he is Protestant. They got married in a Catholic Church. He had to take some classes or perhaps they both did. They never moved apart. I did not inquire into their sexual decisions.

 

[chefmomster2]

Maybe it depends on the Priest. I know a couple that lived together and had 2 kids. She is Catholic and he is Protestant. They got married in a Catholic Church. He had to take some classes or perhaps they both did. They never moved apart. I did not inquire into their sexual decisions.

I can understand not requiring that the couple in your example split up. That would have been so very difficult on those children.

 

[Allegra]

Maybe it depends on the Priest. I know a couple that lived together and had 2 kids. She is Catholic and he is Protestant. They got married in a Catholic Church. He had to take some classes or perhaps they both did. They never moved apart. I did not inquire into their sexual decisions.

It probably also depends on the situation. It’s a much bigger deal for a family to split up when there are children involved.

 

[Zeno11]

This priest is being your best friend. I know, because this happened to me too, many, many years ago now but still.the same. I was forced to confront the truth about my life and where I was heading and who I really was. I thought I could confess my sins and God would understand that I was weak and wouldn’t mind my sins too much. But really experiencing repentance, turning away from this world to a new one, where you really do become transformed by the grace of God means the parts of your life where you habitually sin are the parts that have to be cut out.
I am forever grateful to the old priest who woke me up from my complacency and pointed out the error of my ways, as your priest is now showing you. You have come to the point in the road where you have fire and water before you, so which one will you choose?

I pray for you that you will drink of the living water.

 

[chefmomster2]

This priest is being your best friend. I know, because this happened to me too, many, many years ago now but still.the same. I was forced to confront the truth about my life and where I was heading and who I really was. I thought I could confess my sins and God would understand that I was weak and wouldn’t mind my sins too much. But really experiencing repentance, turning away from this world to a new one, where you really do become transformed by the grace of God means the parts of your life where you habitually sin are the parts that have to be cut out.
I am forever grateful to the old priest who woke me up from my complacency and pointed out the error of my ways, as your priest is now showing you. You have come to the point in the road where you have fire and water before you, so which one will you choose?

I pray for you that you will drink of the living water.