Kids from "Unrecognized Unions"?

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TC3033

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I was reading on the web a story about someone who was looking at getting married outside of the church…literally, outside.

They were told that if they were to get married outside in a ceremony not presided by a priest and then were to have kids that their children would not be eligible for any sacraments as they would have been born from an “unrecognized union”

Is this really true…? I didn’t think so since we see children from unwed couples getting baptized a couple times a year, so now I’m curious.
 
No, it is not true. Consult your Pastor for a full explanation, however the child would need support from a close adult to begin to receive the sacraments
 
I think this piece answers the question rather thoroughly:


Once someone in a position similar to this has done a little reading like that from solid sources, they will be in a better position to do what @Uriel1 suggested, which is to make an appointment to talk to the pastor in more depth about the particulars of the child’s situation.

A Catholic ought to care very much about having a valid marriage.
 
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TC3033 said:
They were told that if they were to get married outside in a ceremony not presided by a priest and then were to have kids that their children would not be eligible for any sacraments as they would have been born from an “unrecognized union”
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The Priest has to have a reasonable expectation that the child will be raised in the faith. I can understand why he may feel that a couple who couldn’t be bothered marrying validly in the eyes of the Church (assuming that there are no impediments) are not serious about raising their children Catholic.
 
Elf01 said:
The Priest has to have a reasonable expectation that the child will be raised in the faith.
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I get that…I just think/thought it weird for a priest to tell an unwed couple that their future children WOULD be ineligible for the sacraments (not just baptism) if they got married outside. That didn’t sound right to me.
 
TC3033 said:
I get that…I just think/thought it weird for a priest to tell an unwed couple that their future children WOULD be ineligible for the sacraments (not just baptism) if they got married outside. That didn’t sound right to me.
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Baptism is the gateway to the Sacraments. You can’t receive any other Sacrament if you have not been baptized.
 
Understood, but as I read it that meant that the children would be forever ineligible to receive any sacrament. Still doesn’t sound right.

There was also no disclaimer in what I read that it’s of priests discretion just, the parents aren’t recognized as married by the church so any children from that marriage ineligible.
 
TC3033 said:
Understood, but as I read it that meant that the children would be forever ineligible to receive any sacrament. Still doesn’t sound right.
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Yes, that is not correct. I can understand delaying but if the parents chose to convalidate their marriage or once the child reaches the age of reason and if they were to request baptism there would be no barrier.
 
I am unmarried and my 2 youngest boys have both been baptized catholic. One has gone to first reconciliation and first communion the other is 2 young. I think as long as the children are going to be raised catholic it should be ok if this is something your priest has said is there any chance you can contact someone at your local diocese ( a bishop perhapes) as they maybe able to shed more light on this
 
Brendea said:
if this is something your priest has said is there any chance you can contact someone at your local diocese ( a bishop perhapes) as they maybe able to shed more light on this
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Nope, nothing local (that I know of). Just read the account online.
 
TC3033 said:
I get that…I just think/thought it weird for a priest to tell an unwed couple that their future children WOULD be ineligible for the sacraments (not just baptism) if they got married outside.
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To be fair, you read this story on teh interwubs

Where anybody, anywhere, at anytime can say anything…with no proof whatsoever!
 
Ya…I think that most people know to take what they read on the interwebz with a grain of salt, especially what’s said in forums.

Thus my question about the claim.
 
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