Does the church permit this?

[Marysgirl]

I’ve known couples that are senior adults who could not afford to get married because one of them would lose their benefits. Does the church allow such a couple to get married in the church without the legal papers. It’s really sad to see this and it is becoming very common. I have a friend who died recently and she was 90yr old. She and her boyfriend lived together more than 20yrs without marriage because of this. They needed the medical and financial benefits.

 

[ironmonk]

Marysgirl:

I’ve known couples that are senior adults who could not afford to get married because one of them would lose their benefits. Does the church allow such a couple to get married in the church without the legal papers. It’s really sad to see this and it is becoming very common. I have a friend who died recently and she was 90yr old. She and her boyfriend lived together more than 20yrs without marriage because of this. They needed the medical and financial benefits.

Dear Marysgirl,

I do not believe that the Church permits this. There are special reasons for a secret marriage, but we are also to render what is Ceasar’s to Ceasar. We are to follow the law.

This is where people need to understand that we are to rely on God, not men. This life is not about doing what makes us happy, it is about doing what is right.

I hope that helps explain it.

 

[Saint_Andrew]

Hello

I agree with Ironmonks comments there

God Bless
Saint Andrew.

 

[Marysgirl]

I hope I’m never in that position because it really makes me mad. Some of these people have spent 50yrs to build up these benefits and just because they don’t want to live in isolation and loneliness they have to literally give up everything to do it. It’s hard enough to be old but to require such a sacrifice is not right. No wonder we have so many seniors “living in sin”. I think under circumstances such as these the priest should be allowed to marry them.

 

[Catholic2003]

See this post.