Elligibility for Communion / Valid Reason for Annulment

[AmandaLynP]

Hello all! I would really appreciate your knowledge on this matter.

So, my father and his family are all Protestant, and he was previously married to a woman, but they were married by a pastor. Years later, they divorced, and he married my mother, also by a pastor. She was Atheist, and that’s just how I was as well. However her, and I converted to the Catholic Church about 8 years ago.

She was given Communion on the day of her baptism, but after that was told she cannot due to the fact that she was living in a “life of adultery” as apparently my father’s previous marriage was still seen as valid “in the eyes of God.” Keep in mind that he is not Catholic.

She has almost entirely given up the battle to receive Communion, so I have been working on it. I talked to our priest and he says the previous marriage must be annulled. These were the requirements he gave.

1. Baptism Cert.
2. Original marriage licence
3. Copy of Divorce decree
4. Testimony of the time leading up to and shortly after the wedding day

Later

1. List of witnesses (4) who knew the person at the time of the wedding

However, my father must also write a letter stating multiple reasons as to why his first marriage should be considered invalid. The problem lies in that there was no abuse, scandal, etc. they just decided to divorce.

I don’t see why my mother has to suffer because of her non-Catholic husband’s previous marriage, and seeing as though we are converts- is it really a mortal sin/ adultery since she did not have full knowledge of it “being a sin” at the time of her marriage?

What should I do to help her in being able to come into Communion with the Church? We seem to be at an impasse.

What do you all think?

Thank you very much, I truly appreciate your thoughts and time!

Amanda

 

[Roseeurekacross]

It’s not what happens during a marriage that makes it invalid, it’s the situation around getting married that makes it valid or not.

Does your parish have a marriage tribunal person that can help your parents with this?

 

[TheLittleLady]

This is an excellent source for information: http://www.catholicsdivorce.com/ Rose Sweet has been a frequent guest on Catholic Answers Live.

 

[1ke]

I don’t see why my mother has to suffer because of her non-Catholic husband’s previous marriage, and seeing as though we are converts- is it really a mortal sin/ adultery since she did not have full knowledge of it “being a sin” at the time of her marriage?

Amanda, marriage is a natural institution. It is not just for Catholics. Non-Catholics and non-Christians marry validly when they marry each other. Divorce does not dissolve a valid marriage for anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic.

Your mother cannot petition on your father’s behalf for a decree of nullity for his first marriage. That is something he will have to do himself.

I am sorry that your pastor didn’t assist your mother and father with the nullity process prior to receiving her into the Church. I suggest your mother and father sit down with the pastor, or someone from the diocesan tribunal office, to explain the situation and options to them.

What should I do to help her in being able to come into Communion with the Church?

Encourage your father to do this for your mother and her spiritual well being. And then step aside.

 

[Gorgias]

I don’t see why my mother has to suffer because of her non-Catholic husband’s previous marriage

Would it be any different if your father were a Catholic? What I mean is: is his first marriage any less a valid marriage, just because he’s not Catholic?

As @1ke points out, the Catholic Church isn’t saying “only Catholic marriages are valid and sacramental” – that would be even worse, wouldn’t it? That would be telling our non-Catholic Christian brothers and sisters that they are second-class Christians of a sort!

and seeing as though we are converts- is it really a mortal sin/ adultery since she did not have full knowledge of it “being a sin” at the time of her marriage?

The ‘adultery’ part isn’t the wedding ceremony; it’s being in a marital relationship with someone who is still putatively in a valid (first) marriage.

Like @1ke says: your dad and mom should go talk with a priest about the prospects of getting a decree of nullity for him (which, if granted, would say that the first marriage wasn’t valid from the beginning). This would allow for a valid marriage in the Church between your parents. There are many questions, specific to their situation, which need to be asked; a priest or tribunal representative will be able to walk them through the process. I’ll be praying for ya’ll!