Question about adultery

[mgpm]

Prior to my becoming Catholic, I was married, and my husband left me for someone else. He wanted to marry in the Church so he applied and got an annulment based on “nullity of form.”

After he left but prior to our divorce and annulment (it took several years) I met someone and we did engage in premarital sex. (we eventually did marry) When I became Catholic I confessed this sin.

What I would like to know is if I really was guilty of adultery if the marriage was annulled (the marriage wasn’t valid). Is adultery and having sex outside of marriage the same thing?

thank you.

 

[Scoobyshme]

I would say it doesn’t matter since you’ve confessed it. As far as God is concerned, if you were truly sorry, you are forgiven and it’s like it never happened.

 

[triumphguy]

Technically it was adultery.

But you were not yet a Catholic, and may not have had an awareness of sin like you do now.

Anyway - it’s all moot since you have confessed and been forgiven and the slate wiped clean.

 

[1ke]

You entered into the marriage in good faith as a non-Catholic. You considered yourself married. You knew what you were doing was cheating on your lawful spouse. Yes, you consented to adultery in your heart. Whether or not the marriage proved invalid after later investigation by the tribunal is irrelevant. You correctly judged your intent and your actual sin. You confessed it and were absolved. Be at peace.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Prior to my becoming Catholic, I was married, and my husband left me for someone else. He wanted to marry in the Church so he applied and got an annulment based on “nullity of form.”

After he left but prior to our divorce and annulment (it took several years) I met someone and we did engage in premarital sex. (we eventually did marry) When I became Catholic I confessed this sin.

What I would like to know is if I really was guilty of adultery if the marriage was annulled (the marriage wasn’t valid). Is adultery and having sex outside of marriage the same thing?

thank you.

It seems that you were not Catholic, so none of it applies.

 

[SonCatcher]

Since it is already confessed and forgiven, the rest is irrelevant.

For education purposes, however, I offer the following:
Objectively, this was fornication because you were not married at the time.

Subjectively (to the Catholic mind), this was adultery because there was the appearance of an extant marriage.

 

[Dorothy]

I am just responding to your last question, as others have responded to the rest. (Just in case anyone becomes confused by the discussion).

When a couple engages in the sexual act before marriage it is called fornication. When a partner in a marriage engages in the sexual act with a person other than his/her spouse, it is adultery.

 

[Curious_Seed]

Prior to my becoming Catholic, I was married, and my husband left me for someone else. He wanted to marry in the Church so he applied and got an annulment based on “nullity of form.”

After he left but prior to our divorce and annulment (it took several years) I met someone and we did engage in premarital sex. (we eventually did marry) When I became Catholic I confessed this sin.

What I would like to know is if I really was guilty of adultery if the marriage was annulled (the marriage wasn’t valid). Is adultery and having sex outside of marriage the same thing?

thank you.

What I understand is that your husband is Catholic and obtained nullification of your marriage.

Prior to the civil divorce, you had sex with someone other than your husband.

In the eyes of the civil law, you committed adultery.

In the eyes of the Catholic Church, you committed fornication or adultery.

Adultery is sexual intercourse with any married partner, neither of whom is married to the other.

In the eyes of the civil law, you were the married partner [as you were not yet divorced].

Fornication is sexual intercourse with any partner, neither of whom is married.

In the eyes of the Catholic Church, you were an unmarried partner engaging in sex [as you had never married - with nullification].

If your partner was married, then adultery was committed; if not, then fornication was committed.

Truly, little value differentiating between adultery and fornication.

To the Catholic Church, you sinned; to civil law, you gave grounds.

The very best wishes to you and your new husband !

 

[mgpm]

Thank you all for your responses.

My first husband was not Catholic, he had grown up in the faith but never was confirmed. Ironically, when he left me to marry the second woman, she was Catholic and then he wanted to be confirmed and married in the church, so he sought the annulment.

I had no idea I was to become Catholic myself…but God lead me in that direction by a series of nudges and pushes. It was a very painful time, but in the end I did meet a Catholic man, we married, and we have four children. We’ve been married for 12 years this year.

It is ironic that both my ex husband and I have become Catholic since our divorce.

We prayed a Divine Mercy novena during Easter week and I guess I was thinking about my past sins. I know God has forgiven me, and I am truely grateful for that. I am also grateful that out of such a trainwreck of my life He pulled me out and drew me closer to Him.

Thank you again for your thoughtful responses.