Family member with questionable practices

[Mari]

I have a family member who was married in a civil ceremony, then when the annulment came through for his spouse, who was previously married in a Christian church and then divorced, the marriage was blessed by the Catholic Church. They did not attend any pre-wedding classes, etc. only took a compatibility test. I know they should have waited for the annulment, but was the rest of this OK? Are their any circumstances in which a Catholic priest advise a couple to be married via civil ceremony? Also, in order to conceive a child, they used ovulation regulating hormones and were pregnant within 6 months after the civil ceremony. (They are in their 40’s and I know having a child was important to them) Was the use of these hormones OK? Please let me know the answers to these questions so I may be at peace.

 

[little_flower_1]

the marriage was blessed by the Church in the end so there’s your answer on that. and there is no problem using hormone therapy to increase chances of conception. it’s not like ivf where conception takes place outside of the marital embrace.

 

[puzzleannie]

Mari:

I have a family member who was married in a civil ceremony, then when the annulment came through for his spouse, who was previously married in a Christian church and then divorced, the marriage was blessed by the Catholic Church. They did not attend any pre-wedding classes, etc. only took a compatibility test. I know they should have waited for the annulment, but was the rest of this OK? Are their any circumstances in which a Catholic priest advise a couple to be married via civil ceremony? Also, in order to conceive a child, they used ovulation regulating hormones and were pregnant within 6 months after the civil ceremony. (They are in their 40’s and I know having a child was important to them) Was the use of these hormones OK? Please let me know the answers to these questions so I may be at peace.

is any of this your business? from your last line I assume you are a parent of one of the parties, and it is your business, to an extent, although if they are in their 40s your concern is more limited than if they were, say, 16.

If they were married in the Catholic Church and followed the directives of the priest, why are you concerned? Nobody here on the forums has authority over their situation, they have a priest, they consulted him and followed his directives. It would be the worst kind of presumption for someone here to second guess the priest. As far as their reproductive capacities, neither you nor anyone here has any (name removed by moderator)ut at all.

 

[Mari]

No, I am not one of their parents. And you’re right, their decisions are none of my business, unless they are committing a sin or may make a decision that will lead to sin. Their soul is my business. But I cannot be of any help if I don’t know what the church teaches. I did not write any of my message because I wanted to chastise them. I was simply looking for some (name removed by moderator)ut on my questions. In addition, they did follow a Catholic Priest’s directive. In fact, the priest advised them to be married in a civil ceremony. I didn’t know there were situations in which this was ok’d by the Church. And yes, after they petitioned for annulment, which was granted, their marriage was blessed by the Church. As for their reproductive capabilities, I would never (name removed by moderator)ut any of my own opinions, but I would give (name removed by moderator)ut if the act were immoral or sinful, resulting in death of a soul. But, from what I have read from my responses here, the Church ok’s hormone therapy for achieving pregnancy. Thank you, I didn’t know. I didn’t know this option existed, and am grateful to know that those many couples who cannot conceive a child have this option as well. In fact, perhaps the Church should combine ovulation regulation hormones with the NFP program (unless it already does) to achieve pregnancy. Maybe many of those childless couples, who spend their days in prayer and trust of Christ, would conceive sooner. Appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut.

puzzleannie:

is any of this your business? from your last line I assume you are a parent of one of the parties, and it is your business, to an extent, although if they are in their 40s your concern is more limited than if they were, say, 16.

If they were married in the Catholic Church and followed the directives of the priest, why are you concerned? Nobody here on the forums has authority over their situation, they have a priest, they consulted him and followed his directives. It would be the worst kind of presumption for someone here to second guess the priest. As far as their reproductive capacities, neither you nor anyone here has any (name removed by moderator)ut at all.