Receiving the Eucharist when married to two people?

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EZHOOPS

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Quick question not concerning me but someone I know.

This person is divorced and then got remarried 5 years later in another country to another “Catholic” without getting his first marriage annuled. (not sure if his wife ever had her first marriage annuled either but unlikely) This person then attended his daughters first Holy Communion and received the Eucharist at Mass to many watchers disbelief. I’m just curious on how the church views this abuse.

I realize the hypocracy of sending your daughter to catholic school and then breaking multiple rules of the catholic church right in front of her but I want to know the churches view of this abuse.

Thank You,

P.s. When The little girl is old enough to realize what sins her father committed how do I explain it to her or help her understand it?
 
This might be one you should think about submitting to the “ask an apologist” thread. But to make a long story short, nobody can be married to two people since Christ raised marriage to the dignity of a Sacrament. If you are absolutely certain that your friend has not had received a declaration of nullity, then he (and his new “wife”) are committing adultery, which is a mortal sin.

Receiving communion in the state of mortal sin is not a liturgical abuse. It is an act of desecration and sacrilege. :mad:
 
WOW, I hope that he understands that accepting the Eucharist when living in mortal sin is extremelly damaging. He is currently commiting adultury and cheating on his wife. He is not even married to the woman he is living with. The Pastor of the church you are going to needs to be aware of this problem and probably withold communion from this person. Has anyone brought the seriousness of this situation to him? Also his daughter needs to understand the sin that her father is living in. When she is old enough someone needs to give her the straight answers so she may not make the same mistakes.:mad: :mad: :mad:
 
EZHOOPS said:
Quick question not concerning me but someone I know.

This person is divorced and then got remarried 5 years later in another country to another “Catholic” without getting his first marriage annuled. (not sure if his wife ever had her first marriage annuled either but unlikely) This person then attended his daughters first Holy Communion and received the Eucharist at Mass to many watchers disbelief. I’m just curious on how the church views this abuse.
it?
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the Church first takes steps to ascertain there is an actual abuse before judging. Nobody here is this person’s confessor, so no one here is competent to judge the state of his soul. No one involved in the care of a child should be discussing the alleged sins of that child’s parents in front of her, no matter what her age.
 
Annie, I agree with you and that we are not his confessor, I was simply asking a general question, looking for opinions and that is what everyone was giving.

I am not discussing her fathers alleged abuses with her or in front of her. I simply asked how to handle the situation should it arise. From the opinions of others and my priest, I will make my own decision (again should the occasion arise) on how to handle it.

Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut
 
I simply asked how to handle the situation should it arise.

**Why would you have to handle the situation at all, EZHoops?

What can you possibly do about it?**
 
I believe this is a good forum to discuss these issues, which DO come up with children, whether they’re our students, friends, or relatives. We do need to learn how to discuss the truths of our faith with courage and with sensitivity.

I am a catechist. I’ve been reviewing the Ten Commandments with my students – every year there are at least a couple of students whose parent or parents live in irregular marriages (or in “non-marriage” relationships). I can’t avoid “You shall not commit adultery” simply because it’s a difficult issue.

So let’s keep the advice coming.
 
EZHOOPS said:
Quick question not concerning me but someone I know.

This person is divorced and then got remarried 5 years later in another country to another “Catholic” without getting his first marriage annuled. (not sure if his wife ever had her first marriage annuled either but unlikely) This person then attended his daughters first Holy Communion and received the Eucharist at Mass to many watchers disbelief. I’m just curious on how the church views this abuse.

I realize the hypocracy of sending your daughter to catholic school and then breaking multiple rules of the catholic church right in front of her but I want to know the churches view of this abuse.

Thank You,

P.s. When The little girl is old enough to realize what sins her father committed how do I explain it to her or help her understand it?
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Since there were many people who watched the father take the Eucharist in disbelief you are not the only person who is aware that the man got married in two Catholic ceremonies in two different countries. This must be common knowledge. Since you are concerned about what you might have to tell the daughter some day you are probably a relative or close to the family in some way. Our primary concern is souls. The reason scandal is evil is it harms souls, those who are scandalized and those who give scandal. The man in question, assuming the report is accurate, is in grave spiritual danger which he seems to be compounding. Imagine if he died in this condition. There is a difficult balance in minding our own business and acting out of love and concern for the souls of others. It would seem that it is the responsiblility of the priest of the parish where the daughter and family is enrolled to address the problem. If a number of people are aware of the situation and the priest is not, he needs to know what is going on and he should look into it. He needs to know that it is commonly believed in his parish that his parishoner Charlie has been married in two Catholic ceremonies and received Communion. It is not slander or calumny to bring this to the attention of the priest out of concern for the man’s soul. It is sinful if you are trying to maliciously damage his reputation.
 
St. Paul is very clear on this … when the Eucharist is received unworthily, it is no longer the bread of life but the bread of death.

That said, none of us knows whether or not another person is worthy or not. The couple could be living as brother and sister. In which case, I believe, there would be no sin.
 
GrandFather,
thanks I appreciate your response.

The couple are not living as brother and sister, cohabitation with wedding bands.

The second ceremony he participated in was not a catholic ceremony, It was in Mexico .

Why would I have to handle the situation? I am very close to the family and just want to be prepared in case I am ever asked by the daughter.

I appreciate all the responses, keep em coming
 
EZHOOPS said:
Quick question not concerning me but someone I know.

This person is divorced and then got remarried 5 years later in another country to another “Catholic” without getting his first marriage annuled. (not sure if his wife ever had her first marriage annuled either but unlikely) This person then attended his daughters first Holy Communion and received the Eucharist at Mass to many watchers disbelief. I’m just curious on how the church views this abuse.

I realize the hypocracy of sending your daughter to catholic school and then breaking multiple rules of the catholic church right in front of her but I want to know the churches view of this abuse. Lots of people send their children to Catholic school. Some are even Catholic. They want a better life for their children, perhaps because they do not do so well themselves. It is not hypocrisy.

Thank You,

P.s. When The little girl is old enough to realize what sins her father committed how do I explain it to her or help her understand it? You should tell her that it is really none of your business. It isn’t. I don’t see how it could be. Perhaps by that time, her father, if he is in need of it, will have availed himself of confession.
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“Lots of people send their children to Catholic school. Some are even Catholic. They want a better life for their children, perhaps because they do not do so well themselves. It is not hypocrisy.”

I disagree, especially when that person performs this act in a church in front of his family and friends. I guess I believe in leading by good example.

“You should tell her that it is really none of your business. It isn’t. I don’t see how it could be. Perhaps by that time, her father, if he is in need of it, will have availed himself of confession.”

Again, I disagree. It became my business when he did it in public in front of family and friends.

I appreciate your opinion
 
EZHOOPS said:
Quick question not concerning me but someone I know.

This person is divorced and then got remarried 5 years later in another country to another “Catholic” without getting his first marriage annuled. (not sure if his wife ever had her first marriage annuled either but unlikely) This person then attended his daughters first Holy Communion and received the Eucharist at Mass to many watchers disbelief. I’m just curious on how the church views this abuse.

I realize the hypocracy of sending your daughter to catholic school and then breaking multiple rules of the catholic church right in front of her but I want to know the churches view of this abuse.

Thank You,

P.s. When The little girl is old enough to realize what sins her father committed how do I explain it to her or help her understand it?
Click to expand...
You cannot receive the Sacraments while you are in an irregular marriage (i.e. a marriage that has not been blessed by the Church) unless you agree to live together as brother and sister. Unfortunately, many people nowadays don’t think this matter is any of the Church’s business and they do whatever they please.
 
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OutinChgoburbs:
I disagree with the statement that its nobodys business. It would be a sin of omission if the questioner did not mention the sinful and scandalous acts of the girls father and even more so if the daughter one day asked the questioner’s opinion.

It is, sometimes, a narrow road to tread when one is trying to avoid a sin of omission and avoiding a situation which can cause slander or something to that effect.

Bottom line, I would approach the situation gently and at the right time, PRIVATELY, and assure this girl that you are not, I presume, being judmental of her father, rather you are simply judging his ACTIONS, in light of our Church’s teachings.

God bless you and yours,
Dysmas1
 
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