Getting married while in mortal sin

[ccmcmg]

If you are married in the Catholic Church, both Catholics, and have unconfessed and/or unrepented mortal sin, is your marriage still a sacrament? Should you have your marriage blessed if you married while in the state of mortal sin? For instance, living together: the priest did not ask, nor did he ask for a Confession before the wedding. Is your marriage valid in the Catholic Church? (This has nothing to do with annulment; moreso wanting to make sure that the marriage is sacramental.)

I ask, because although not the same, receiving the Eucharist while not in a state of Grace is another mortal sin.

Thank you.

 

[Bookcat]

Being in a state of mortal sin does at the time of the marriage does not render the marriage invalid.

The Grace will be impeded though - but will* revive* once the person repents goes to confession.

 

[porthos11]

Being in a state of mortal sin does at the time of the marriage does not render the marriage invalid.

The Grace will be impeded though - but will* revive* once the person repents goes to confession.

And further, because marriage is a sacrament of the living, one incurs the additional mortal sin of sacrilege.

But the marriage is both valid and sacramental.

 

[Elizium23]

And further, because marriage is a sacrament of the living, one incurs the additional mortal sin of sacrilege.

But the marriage is both valid and sacramental.

Only if both parties are baptized. If not, then the valid marriage is natural. The OP confused the two terms “valid” and “sacramental” in her question.

 

[ccmcmg]

Only if both parties are baptized. If not, then the valid marriage is natural. The OP confused the two terms “valid” and “sacramental” in her question.

Actually, I was looking for clarification on both.

Thanks for the information! That’s what I thought, but I keep forgetting to ask the priest.

We’re going to do something at Mass for our 25th in February anyway.

Thanks again!

 

[porthos11]

Only if both parties are baptized. If not, then the valid marriage is natural. The OP confused the two terms “valid” and “sacramental” in her question.

I think the OP was sufficiently clear in laying out that both parties are Catholic and for two baptized persons, any valid marriage is also sacramental.

And for the party in mortal sin, entering into a sacramental marriage is a sacrilege, because marriage is a sacrament of the living.

 

[ccmcmg]

I think the OP was sufficiently clear in laying out that both parties are Catholic and for two baptized persons, any valid marriage is also sacramental.

And for the party in mortal sin, entering into a sacramental marriage is a sacrilege, because marriage is a sacrament of the living.

Well, since the sin is ‘living together’ before marriage (yes), it’s not just one party in mortal sin. Although we were engaged, we did become pregnant before the wedding.

Is sacrilege then a mortal sin on top of the mortal sin?

 

[porthos11]

Well, since the sin is ‘living together’ before marriage (yes), it’s not just one party in mortal sin. Although we were engaged, we did become pregnant before the wedding.

Is sacrilege then a mortal sin on top of the mortal sin?

Sadly, yes. That’s why it’s standard practice (or ought to be) for the couple to confess before marriage.

It’s just like receiving Communion in the state of mortal sin; the sacrilege is an additional mortal sin.

 

[ccmcmg]

Sadly, yes. That’s why it’s standard practice (or ought to be) for the couple to confess before marriage.

It’s just like receiving Communion in the state of mortal sin; the sacrilege is an additional mortal sin.

Well, due to poor catechism as a child, and never been told this, I didn’t know this at the time; therefore, it wouldn’t have been a mortal sin for me then, since you have to know it’s a mortal sin, or have reasonable reason to believe it was. I knew living together was a sin; I’m not sure I knew it was a mortal sin, nor did I know that it was sacrilege (at the time) to get married in the manner we did (without confession of that sin, or others).

Thanks for the opinions. Yes, I agree that Confessions should be made before the wedding.

 

[porthos11]

Well, due to poor catechism as a child, and never been told this, I didn’t know this at the time; therefore, it wouldn’t have been a mortal sin for me then, since you have to know it’s a mortal sin, or have reasonable reason to believe it was. I knew living together was a sin; I’m not sure I knew it was a mortal sin, nor did I know that it was sacrilege (at the time) to get married in the manner we did (without confession of that sin, or others).

Thanks for the opinions. Yes, I agree that Confessions should be made before the wedding.

I’m making no judgments; simply stating things objectively. Heck, I didn’t even think at first that the opening post was about your own situation.

We all have our “we did not know” moments. All you should care about is the state of your soul NOW (which I presume is in the state of grace), and in which case, the past is the past. Since your original question was about validity of the marriage, you have your answer: it is valid, so you have nothing to worry about in that regard.

 

[twf]

Porthos:
Can you cite an authority to back the statement that entering into marriage while in a state of sin is itself the sin of sacrilege? Unlike Confirmation or Easter duty, I am aware of no canon requiring confession prior to matrimony.
How then do we understand mixed marriages? When a Catholic marries a baptized Protestant, the Protestant obviously is not given the opportunity to confess.

 

[porthos11]

Porthos:
Can you cite an authority to back the statement that entering into marriage while in a state of sin is itself the sin of sacrilege? Unlike Confirmation or Easter duty, I am aware of no canon requiring confession prior to matrimony.
How then do we understand mixed marriages? When a Catholic marries a baptized Protestant, the Protestant obviously is not given the opportunity to confess.

Baltimore Catechism Q.599.

The Protestant needs to act according to his own conscience and do whatever it is he does to ensure he is in the state of grace, according to his own understanding, the best he can, if he won’t become Catholic. But the fact remains the same: if he’s in the state of mortal sin and he enters a sacramental marriage, he objectively commits sacrilege. As with any grave matter, the condition of full knowledge needs to be satisfied for mortal sin to be committed.

 

[twf]

Baltimore Catechism Q.599.

The Protestant needs to act according to his own conscience and do whatever it is he does to ensure he is in the state of grace, according to his own understanding, the best he can, if he won’t become Catholic. But the fact remains the same: if he’s in the state of mortal sin and he enters a sacramental marriage, he objectively commits sacrilege. As with any grave matter, the condition of full knowledge needs to be satisfied for mortal sin to be committed.

By this line of thinking, as the sacramental of matrimony and its graces is an ongoing, lifelong state, wouldn’t any mortal sin committed by any married Catholic also automatically include the additional sin of sacrilege?

 

[porthos11]

By this line of thinking, as the sacramental of matrimony and its graces is an ongoing, lifelong state, wouldn’t any mortal sin committed by any married Catholic also automatically include the additional sin of sacrilege?

No, any more than committing any mortal sin constitutes sacrilege against the ongoing state of being confirmed. It’s the unworthy RECEPTION of the Sacrament that constitutes the sacrilege. And not just matrimony, but ANY Sacrament of the Living must be received in the state of grace, otherwise, it’s a sacrilege to do so because it’s an abuse of a sacred thing.

But really, why am I even defending this? This is basic sacramental catechesis.

 

[twf]

No, any more than committing any mortal sin constitutes sacrilege against the ongoing state of being confirmed. It’s the unworthy RECEPTION of the Sacrament that constitutes the sacrilege. And not just matrimony, but ANY Sacrament of the Living must be received in the state of grace, otherwise, it’s a sacrilege to do so because it’s an abuse of a sacred thing.

But really, why am I even defending this? This is basic sacramental catechesis.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, but the Church seems to treat it quite differently than say confirmation. With confirmation, the faithful are explicitly canonical bound to be in a state of grace- to confess any mortal sins prior to receiving the sacrament. I am not aware of any parallel canon for matrimony. Nor am I aware of any mention of confession in pre-Cana (though perhaps some programs do).

With confirmation, there is an assumption that the candidate is practicing the faith. With Matrimony there is no such assumption. Parishes routinely marry non-practicing CAtholics.

 

[porthos11]

I’m not saying you’re wrong, but the Church seems to treat it quite differently than say confirmation. With confirmation, the faithful are explicitly canonical bound to be in a state of grace- to confess any mortal sins prior to receiving the sacrament. I am not aware of any parallel canon for matrimony. Nor am I aware of any mention of confession in pre-Cana (though perhaps some programs do).

With confirmation, there is an assumption that the candidate is practicing the faith. With Matrimony there is no such assumption. Parishes routinely marry non-practicing CAtholics.

Non-Catholic does not equal mortal sin.

 

[ccmcmg]

No, any more than committing any mortal sin constitutes sacrilege against the ongoing state of being confirmed. It’s the unworthy RECEPTION of the Sacrament that constitutes the sacrilege. And not just matrimony, but ANY Sacrament of the Living must be received in the state of grace, otherwise, it’s a sacrilege to do so because it’s an abuse of a sacred thing.

But really, why am I even defending this? This is basic sacramental catechesis.

Thanks for your explanation. I am not reading it (to me) as defending, but explaining.

However, isn’t Reconcilation a Sacrament? And if we commit a mortal sin, then we are not in a state of grace when we receive it? (At least, not at first, until absolution).

Btw, not all of us have had even basic catechesis. And if you don’t know what questions to ask, it’s difficult to have them answered. Many of the questions on CAF are ‘basic’ to me, but might not be to everyone. That’s why it’s here.

 

[porthos11]

Thanks for your explanation. I am not reading it (to me) as defending, but explaining.

However, isn’t Reconcilation a Sacrament? And if we commit a mortal sin, then we are not in a state of grace when we receive it? (At least, not at first, until absolution).

Reconciliation and Baptism are Sacraments of the Dead, which is why they can be worthily received by someone not in sanctifying grace, given that they are by design intended to infuse or revive sanctifying grace where it was nonexistent or lost. To a degree, and only under certain circumstances, Anointing of the Sick can also serve as a Sacrament of the Dead, but it is ordinarily a Sacrament of the Living, so if a person still has possession of his faculties, he first confesses before he is anointed.

Btw, not all of us have had even basic catechesis. And if you don’t know what questions to ask, it’s difficult to have them answered. Many of the questions on CAF are ‘basic’ to me, but might not be to everyone. That’s why it’s here.

Sadly, I’m seeing that, and it’s a damning indictment on the state of catechesis these days. It’s not your fault, but rather, those to whom it’s been entrusted.

 

[ccmcmg]

Reconciliation and Baptism are Sacraments of the Dead, which is why they can be worthily received by someone not in sanctifying grace, given that they are by design intended to infuse or revive sanctifying grace where it was nonexistent or lost. To a degree, and only under certain circumstances, Anointing of the Sick can also serve as a Sacrament of the Dead, but it is ordinarily a Sacrament of the Living, so if a person still has possession of his faculties, he first confesses before he is anointed.

Sadly, I’m seeing that, and it’s a damning indictment on the state of catechesis these days. It’s not your fault, but rather, those to whom it’s been entrusted.

Thanks for the help.

I am aware of the online Catechism, and I have one in my home as well, but sometimes it’s easier in layman’s terms, like you’ve shared. Thanks.

 

[Vico]

If you are married in the Catholic Church, both Catholics, and have unconfessed and/or unrepented mortal sin, is your marriage still a sacrament? Should you have your marriage blessed if you married while in the state of mortal sin? For instance, living together: the priest did not ask, nor did he ask for a Confession before the wedding. Is your marriage valid in the Catholic Church? (This has nothing to do with annulment; moreso wanting to make sure that the marriage is sacramental.)

I ask, because although not the same, receiving the Eucharist while not in a state of Grace is another mortal sin.

Thank you.

If only one of the couple were baptized (disparity of cult) then the marriage would not be a sacrament so there would be no sacrilege, as there could be for a sacramental marriage.