Should One Receive Communion under this scenario?

[plh]

A Catholic in good standing works in the Parish office. This person, spouse and children are very involved in parish life. One spouse decided it would be good to end the marriage. This spouse (prior to filing for divorce/annulment) immediately begins dating and non-catholics start asking questions and making comments about the seriousness of the new relationship. Should this person still be receiving sacraments? Should this person still be employed by the parish in a very visable occupation?

 

[mosher]

A Catholic in good standing works in the Parish office. This person, spouse and children are very involved in parish life. One spouse decided it would be good to end the marriage. This spouse (prior to filing for divorce/annulment) immediately begins dating and non-catholics start asking questions and making comments about the seriousness of the new relationship. Should this person still be receiving sacraments? Should this person still be employed by the parish in a very visable occupation?

If I were pastor then no the person would no longer work for the parish. A person in a separation as described is not free to date etc unless it is determined that the marriage was null. Until that point the person should life as if he were married.

The reason why I would not allow this person to work in a public faculty of the parish is because he is freely and willfully engaged in public scandal. For me that is sufficient grounds for termination after due warning and opportunity to repent of the scandal.

If this person were only a private individual I would say that they may be free to receive communion if no mortal sin is on their conscious. However, since the person is a “public person” the sin of scandal is grave enough to deny Holy Communion to the individual.

 

[plh]

Thank you. I don’t want to be terribly critical, not knowing first and and not having seen what people (whom I trust) have said to me. That seemed to be where “scandal” came into play sort of “big time” to me. And, even though I, all by my little self, cannot correct any wrongs that are allegedly taking place, I do worry what the other children of the parish see as an example from the adults. Even if they do not know first hand what may or may not be going on, their young minds are definately not ignorant.

 

[mosher]

Thank you. I don’t want to be terribly critical, not knowing first and and not having seen what people (whom I trust) have said to me. That seemed to be where “scandal” came into play sort of “big time” to me. And, even though I, all by my little self, cannot correct any wrongs that are allegedly taking place, I do worry what the other children of the parish see as an example from the adults. Even if they do not know first hand what may or may not be going on, their young minds are definately not ignorant.

Then you need to encourage a person who is a direct party to the issue to address it with the pastor and the person - the person first. Third party speculation usually just adds to the problem.

 

[plh]

I agree, Mosher. That is why I have sat back silently…just don’t know if that is the right thing to do either.

 

[mosher]

I agree, Mosher. That is why I have sat back silently…just don’t know if that is the right thing to do either.

You can encourage a person who is directly involved to address the issue. However, since it involves public scandal you do have a right to address it in the proper charitable method if a person that is closer to situation is not willing or is unable to do so. No matter what the first step is to privately speak to the individual in confidence and then from there if truth is not received then it becomes more formal by speaking to the pastor.

 

[kage_ar]

Not certain what country/state you are in, but, firing an employee over a divorce/dating could cause legal issues in some places.

 

[plh]

Not certain what country/state you are in, but, firing an employee over a divorce/dating could cause legal issues in some places.

Even if the employee is Catholic working for the Catholic Church/parish?? I would think that Catholics working for the Church would know when they “sign on” that they are subject to the moral standards/teachings of the Church. This seems a little off subject but, it’s a good point.

 

[mosher]

Not certain what country/state you are in, but, firing an employee over a divorce/dating could cause legal issues in some places.

I live in a state that is not a right to work state so there is no necessity for justification for a firing such as is the case in most East Coast states. However, there is also the freedom of association issue that can be invoked that was argued and won by the Boy Scouts before the Supreme Court. It would be lawful as such. Further most hirings for Church positions require adherence to the faith as a factor for holding the position. Violation of this would be sufficient grounds for termination.