Receiving Communion Question: Two People Never Married Previously, one has a child or children

[KnightErrant]

Hello Everyone!

I was wondering if a man could still receive communion if he married a woman who had a child out of wedlock. In this situation the man and woman were never married previously but the woman had a child out of wedlock.

I’m having a hard time finding the answer for that specific situation and figured I would ask on here. I hope this is the right place for it.

Thanks!

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Hello Everyone!

I was wondering if a man could still receive communion if he married a woman who had a child out of wedlock. In this situation the man and woman were never married previously but the woman had a child out of wedlock.

I’m having a hard time finding the answer for that specific situation and figured I would ask on here. I hope this is the right place for it.

Thanks!

Why in the world would you think they couldn’t?

 

[OraLabora]

As long as they are now validly married there is no problem.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Just communion? He should at least be nominated for sainthood (okay, head of the line at the church picnic at least!), taking on the responsibility for this child and mother!

 

[LightBound]

Hello Everyone!

I was wondering if a man could still receive communion if he married a woman who had a child out of wedlock. In this situation the man and woman were never married previously but the woman had a child out of wedlock.

I’m having a hard time finding the answer for that specific situation and figured I would ask on here. I hope this is the right place for it.

Thanks!

I have to agree with Hoosier Daddy’s comment- why would you think he couldn’t? Do you think a woman could receive communion if she married a man that fathered** child out of wedlock? Do you think a woman that gave birth to a child out of wedlock can receive communion?

 

[Neal76]

If I understand it correctly, if a woman is pregnant with your child and you marry her, her pregnancy may be grounds for an annulment. I suppose this would still be true if the child is no longer in utero. However, if the baby is someone else’s, then you can validly marry. Come to think of it, there may be an opportunity for networking between unmarried couples to ensure the children have fathers to raise them.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

I’m having a hard time finding the answer for that specific situation and figured I would ask on here.

I am not sure what your question is. Having a child is no sin. I assume that you are speaking of having a child as a result of fornication or adultery. Persons involved in sexual sin need to go to confession, as should be obvious. It has nothing to do with their ability to subsequently contract a valid marriage.

 

[chasingcars]

Even if they both had 10 children out of wedlock they could still get validly married and they could also receive Communion.

 

[1ke]

If I understand it correctly, if a woman is pregnant with your child and you marry her, her pregnancy may be grounds for an annulment. I suppose this would still be true if the child is no longer in utero.

I think you have misunderstood something along the way. Coercion or force of fear can be grounds for nullity. In some cases that involve a pregnancy, coercion or force of fear might be present, and might create a situation in which impacts the ability to give free consent. The priest in that case may instruct the couple to wait.

That doesn’t mean all cases of a pregnant bride involve such circumstance, nor does it mean that a subsequent marriage to each other is not possible (which you seem to be implying).

Lastly, this isn’t the OP’s situation. He is talking about marrying a woman who has a child or children by someone else. Which is perfectly fine.