Marriage performed by child abuser

[StudentMI]

For the love of God report him to the police. If he’s an abuser he’s likely a repeat offender. Even if outside the statute of limitations you can provide some much needed publicity if the Church won’t do anything.

 

[AnonEMouse]

Hopefully the efforts already in motion will be fruitful.

 

[1ke]

This priest is now a monsignor in charge of taking abuse complaints for his dioscese, and the abuse has been covered up by the family.

Well, it’s unfortunate that the family did that. You have secondhand knowledge so I’m not sure you are the best person to come forward, but you should if it’s on your conscience.

Does the church say anything about marriages performed by child abusers?

The holiness or lack thereof of a priest does not impact the validity of a sacrament

 

[aroosi]

Like others said, marriage validity has nothing to do with the status of the priest.
I don’t know of any specific case like this but you also need to have solid proof to back up such a serious accusation against your brother in law. During divorce (even a secular divorce) is not uncommon for the parties involved to throw to each other ‘grenades’ (think for example about unfounded accusation about mental health or parenting style of the spouse).

 

[TMC]

Can I ask why you agreed to be married by this priest? Obviously the marriage is valid, as many others have said, but why didn’t you get married by someone else?

 

[1ke]

Obviously the marriage is valid,

Well, I wouldn’t say it’s obvious the marriage is valid. What I would say is that it isn’t obviously invalid solely because this priest performed the ceremony.

 

[TMC]

Well, I wouldn’t say it’s obvious the marriage is valid. What I would say is that it isn’t obviously invalid solely because this priest performed the ceremony.

True, but we have no other reason to believe the marriage is invalid, AFAIK.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I don’t know of any specific case like this but you also need to have solid proof to back up such a serious accusation against your brother in law. During divorce (even a secular divorce) is not uncommon for the parties involved to throw to each other ‘grenades’ (think for example about unfounded accusation about mental health or parenting style of the spouse).

In addition, the OP would likely be perceived as having a conflict of interest, since he is seeking an annulment, and the allegations of abuse of his ex when she was a child may wel lbe supporting evidence in his annulment case. In other words, the OP stands to benefit personally by making such an accusation.

 

[fhansen]

If it hasn’t been said, in the case of matrimony, the man and woman are actually the ministers of the sacrament, not the priest.

 

[adamhovey1988]

I went to confession with a priest that was trading nude pics with a teenage boy, does not changed the validity of the confession

 

[Diaconia]

Does the church say anything about marriages performed by child abusers?

No - the theological question has been asked and answered. The holiness/sinfulness of the minister has nothing whatsoever to do with the validity of any sacrament.

The moment you learn of abuse by a cleric you should report the matter to the police. Secondarily, you should report the matter to the diocese as well. If you were aware of this during your marriage you should have reported it then, by the way. But it is never too late.

It doesn’t matter whether the statue of limitations has expired criminally; each and every allegation is [now] treated seriously by the Church and investigated. There is no way it would be squashed simply because the accuser is the Vicar for Clergy. There is a checksum built into the process to protect against this very thing. Recall even the former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was eventually removed from ministry, and removed from the clerical state.

Regarding possible nullity, the cooperation and testimony of your ex wife would be very beneficial to the process.

You and your family will be in my prayers,
Deacon Christopher