Marriage and Divorce

[jtamchay]

Catholic married to baptized non- catholic in the Catholic church;
divorced, no annulment…one child
remarries outside the Catholic church to baptized Presbyterian, never married
couple practices Catholic faith with reception of the Holy Eucharist, choir participation, Eucharistic Minister, Lector
first husband is dying of cancer how could this change the situation for the second marriage of the true Catholic member…
At no time has this second marriage ever been blessed by the church as the divorce would have been an impediment to that, correct?

 

[Catholic2003]

jtamchay:

couple practices Catholic faith with reception of the Holy Eucharist, choir participation, Eucharistic Minister, Lector

This is not permitted according to Familiaris Consortio, paragraph 84.

jtamchay:

first husband is dying of cancer how could this change the situation for the second marriage of the true Catholic member…

Upon death of the first husband, the couple could have the marriage convalidated (“blessed”) in the Church and thus the wife could be readmitted to the Sacraments.

jtamchay:

At no time has this second marriage ever been blessed by the church as the divorce would have been an impediment to that, correct?

Correct.

 

[jtamchay]

that sounds good…however, the pastor and church where they attend would no doubt be quite shocked to have them ask for a convalidation of their marriage when no one has a clue that they are “pretending” to be in good standing while they go about their involvement on a daily basis.

 

[stbruno]

I don’t think much would shock a priest anymore. He may be disappointed that active members are not aware what our Catholic faith teaches. But I think there has been a severe lapse of catechesis on their part. Now that they know, they should do the right thing for the sake of their own souls…Take a leave of absence from the active roles and abstain from communion until they can fully participate either after an annulment is granted or the death of the first spouse. No one has to know within the parish, but they should explain why they are taking a sabbatical from their active roles with their pastor. They should however, continue to go to mass and observe the commandments of the church and there is no prohibition from them singing on the choir…but I wouldn’t lector and naturally be a extraordinary minister of the Eucharist.

 

[1ke]

jtamchay:

Catholic married to baptized non- catholic in the Catholic church;
divorced, no annulment…one child
remarries outside the Catholic church to baptized Presbyterian, never married
couple practices Catholic faith with reception of the Holy Eucharist, choir participation, Eucharistic Minister, Lector
first husband is dying of cancer how could this change the situation for the second marriage of the true Catholic member…
At no time has this second marriage ever been blessed by the church as the divorce would have been an impediment to that, correct?

Catholic spouse who remarried = mortal sin if done with full knowledge and consent. Minimally, objectively grave sin.

Catholic priest who knows about it and allows reception of the Sacraments = needs to be reported to the Bishop.

You are correct, a person who remarries outside the church without a decree of nullity cannot have the second marriage blessed in the Church and should NOT receive the sacraments.