Second marriage

[Reltcha7]

I am 60 years old and going through a civil annulment. I was widowed after 36 years and we were/are both Catholic. I got married to a divorced Lutheran in his church 2 years ago and now I’m in the middle of a divorce. Can I come back to the Church? I was never a member of his church but got conflicting info from more than one priest as to whether I’m in a state of sin.

 

[AussieTrish]

Reltcha, you’ve separated and are divorcing from a second marriage that is invalid as you married outside the Church to a divorced man.
As you are no longer living as his wife you just need to go to Confession and can return to the Church, unless you are currently living with a man you are not validly married to now at this time and having relations.

God bless you

 

[underacloud]

Of course you can come back to the Church.

Divorcees are not prohibited from receiving the Church’s sacramants, unless they are continuing in an adulterous relationship, which you are not.

Your “second marriage” is almost certainly not one recognised by the Chatholic Church, since the other person was a divorcee and since you married outside of the Catholic Church regardless. So I would discuss this all with a priest, confess of any sins that you and he identify (eg marrying outside the Church, marrying a divocree), and then you will be free to fully participate as a Catholic again. I’m not sure why you are receiving conflicting opinions from different priests, but find one you can trust and discuss this all in detail.

PS Assuming that marriage is considered invalid, the status of your civil divorce or annulment will have no bearing on your marital status in the Catholic Church.

 

[McCartney]

Whether you are validly or invalidly married and now divorced or separated as long as you are not living in sin (with someone in a sexual relationship) you need to go to confession and then return to the Church.