E
ellzeena
Guest
I have an acquaintance I have never met in person. He works for a national (actually worldwide) religious organization. He has been corresponding with me and we have talked on the telephone. He has told me that he is having conjugal relations with a woman he “loves” but with whom he is not married. I have attempted to correct him insofar as the Catechism and church authority but he always has an “excuse”. This man goes to confession but does not truly regret his sin (he says this himself and also intends to repeat the sin). I don’t know why the priest (if he goes to the same priest) continuously absolves him nor do I stand in any judgment of either of these people. But this man receives the Eucharist at Mass every Sunday, knowing he refuses (because he doesn’t “think” it’s a “sin”) to give up his physical relationship with this woman. Is this an automatic excommunication, to receive the Eucharist knowing you are not adhering to the fundamental teachings of the Church? How should I deal with this person? I’m thinking that I need to remove him from my life, not because I’m in any way “better” but because I DO subject myself to the teachings of the Church (whether or not I “agree” with them) and he does not. Any help here? Thank you.