marrying outside the church

[mth8703]

If someone were to marry outside the catholic church but wished to continue going to catholic mass how would that person be limited as far as receiving the sacraments since they are considered to be living in sin. And if this person died would they still be able to have a catholic funeral?

 

[Tietjen]

If someone were to marry outside the catholic church but wished to continue going to catholic mass how would that person be limited as far as receiving the sacraments since they are considered to be living in sin. And if this person died would they still be able to have a catholic funeral?

Assuming that the people marrying are Catholic, they are required to marry within the Church unless they have a dispensation, from their Bishop, allowing the marriage to take place elsewhere.

As for the importance of the sacraments, I am confused. If a Catholic decides to marry outside the Church and therefore avoid receiving the sacrament of marriage, why would they be concerned about the other sacraments? However, to answer your question, the Catholic who refused the marriage sacrament could of course continue attending mass. However, that person(s) should NOT take Holy Communion unless and until the invalid marriage situation is fixed (convalidation ceremony and confession).

 

[joandarc2008]

I think in this day and age we have lost the identity and purpose of marriage. - Anyone want to go perform a baptism on the beach.

 

[Lutheranteach]

sounds familiar

 

[CoffeeHound]

I think in this day and age we have lost the identity and purpose of marriage. - Anyone want to go perform a baptism on the beach.

Holy Orders at a country club? Your post is the most succinct and appropriate way to address something that normally takes me 3 paragraphs.

If someone were to marry outside the catholic church but wished to continue going to catholic mass how would that person be limited as far as receiving the sacraments since they are considered to be living in sin. And if this person died would they still be able to have a catholic funeral?

With the caveat that only a priest can tell you who specifically should and should not participate in certain sacraments…

Generally speaking, a Catholic married outside the Church is in an irregular state and generally should not receive communion. However, that person still could and should go to confession regularly.

The person may not necessarily be “living in sin”. Generally speaking, a person in such a state is asked to go to confession then to live as brother and sister (so no martial relations) until the marriage is convalidated (which could be as quick as the same day, or could take a year).

As for the Catholic funeral - I would speak to a priest. It would be much more prudent to have a marriage convalidated than to wait. If you die while seeking a convalidation, that says a lot about your repentance for the sin of marrying outside the Church.

 

[1ke]

If someone were to marry outside the catholic church but wished to continue going to catholic mass how would that person be limited as far as receiving the sacraments since they are considered to be living in sin.

This person would be unable to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist (or Anointing of the Sick) until they have repented and made a firm ammendment of purpose not to sin anymore. This would mean convalidating their marriage. Reconciling with the Church in such a case may entail several steps, depending upon the particular marriage situation, such as prior marriages, etc.

Why would a person do such a thing in the first place?

And if this person died would they still be able to have a catholic funeral?

From Canon Law:

THOSE TO WHOM ECCLESIASTICAL FUNERALS MUST BE GRANTED OR DENIED

Can. 1183 §1. When it concerns funerals, catechumens must be counted among the Christian faithful.

§2. The local ordinary can permit children whom the parents intended to baptize but who died before baptism to be given ecclesiastical funerals.

§3. In the prudent judgment of the local ordinary, ecclesiastical funerals can be granted to baptized persons who are enrolled in a non-Catholic Church or ecclesial community unless their intention is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is not available.

Can. 1184 §1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;

2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;

3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.

§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.

Can. 1185 Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.

 

[CoffeeHound]

Can. 1184 §1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;

I’m sure this is off topic, but you really need to consider if this is even applied any more considering the number of pro-abortion politicians that receive communion and that are given Catholic funerals.