Tell the priest about acquaintance going to comunion though in an invalid marriage?

[chiibug]

I think in this situation, as has been said, the seed has been planted. One has really no business taking it any further than that. If ratting out others that we think are in mortal sin (perhaps this acquaintance has gone to confession, and is struggling with this sin, that’s between them and the Almighty), and it’s as serious a matter as one’s soul, then we should be actively looking for those in mortal sin so we can help them, no? Perhaps a camera in the kid’s bathroom to see if they’re masturbating? After all, their soul could be in grave danger. Just how far does this logic extend??

Not to mention only this woman and (a) priest might know if she’s confessed the sin and is perhaps struggling to reconcile her situation.

Thank you!

 

[BSHoop96]

I would have told your wife to mind her own business from the beginning. And telling the priest would be in bad taste in my opinion. In fact, it would come across as catty.

The issue is between her and God.

That is today’s answer for everything that we don’t want to get involved in isn’t it? One does a person no kindness by turning their head and ignoring a repeated sin.

I think asking the priest what the next step would be if one witnessed this is a great suggestion.

 

[chiibug]

That is today’s answer for everything that we don’t want to get involved in isn’t it? One does a person no kindness by turning their head and ignoring a repeated sin.

I think asking the priest what the next step would be if one witnessed this is a great suggestion.

The woman is an adult. She is fully aware of any sins she is committing. I’m not one to cast the first stone at anyone else. I also don’t go around trying to catch people in mortal sin.

How about we wait at the front door after Christmas Mass and point out all the C&E Catholics that accept Communion?

“I rebuke… um… thee, and thee, and thee… OH! And thee! I rebuke you guys, and you over there…”

Right…

 

[Like]

The woman is an adult. She is fully aware of any sins she is committing. I’m not one to cast the first stone at anyone else. I also don’t go around trying to catch people in mortal sin.

How about we wait at the front door after Christmas Mass and point out all the C&E Catholics that accept Communion?

“I rebuke… um… thee, and thee, and thee… OH! And thee! I rebuke you guys, and you over there…”

Right…

WOW! Talk about charity?

 

[graceandglory]

The OP used the term “woman she knows”. Not friend, just someone whose business she happens to know. Getting involved is nosy, tacky and rude.

Is she going to go running to the priest every time someone misses Sunday Mass and receives Communion? Or if she overhears them drop a GD bomb? Or if she knows that a married couple is having trouble with the husband viewing porn, and he receives Communion?

Again:
Not.
Her.
Place.

chiibug:
you don’t have scripture or church teaching to back up your opinion.
therefore, it is only
your opinion.

Saving someone’s soul from damnation—DAMNATION—is the job of all of us as brothers and sisters.
Scripture says that we are our brother’s keepers.

 

[Like]

chiibug:
you don’t have scripture or church teaching to back up your opinion.
therefore, it is only
your opinion.

Saving someone’s soul from damnation—DAMNATION—is the job of all of us as brothers and sisters.
Scripture says that we are our brother’s keepers.

AMEN! Makes you wonder why the OP hasn’t returned to this thread, I don’t think I would either after asking a simple question & wife being damned by some.

I do like the post from jmcrae, Sounds like a good way of handling this type of situation.

First, I am assuming that your wife wants to tell the priest, so that the priest can help this woman to resolve her situation; not because she wants to be a tattle-tale.

There was a similar situation in my parish not long ago; a woman was in a situation and was obviously not aware that it was a bad one. I mentioned to the priest in passing that some people in the parish are experiencing this situation. (I did not name names.) It was mentioned at the next Bible study class in a general way, that such a situation needs to be corrected before the parties involved may receive Holy Communion. After the Bible study was over, I saw the woman approach the priest for a private conversation, and later on she mentioned to me that it was a God-send that he had happened to mention that particular item at the Bible study, since she had had no idea about her situation.

She is now correcting her situation, and no one has been embarrassed or put on the defensive.

 

[Lycoming]

In my parish there is a gentleman that was not allowed into the diaconate formation because he could not get his current marriage convalidated – his request for an anullment was denied after making every attempt to receive one. Sadly this process became very public within our parish because he is outraged he did not receive an anullment.

Now he’s become a “senior altar boy” of sorts. He still receives communion and he now serves at the altar – sort of a “junior deacon” in his mind, although not in reality of course. Something seems mighty fouled-up with this situation but my pastor knows his background is public knowledge so it’s on him and the senior altar boy.

 

[Newbie2]

That is today’s answer for everything that we don’t want to get involved in isn’t it? One does a person no kindness by turning their head and ignoring a repeated sin.

I think asking the priest what the next step would be if one witnessed this is a great suggestion.

Now, I can see this as good advice if the question were posed to the priest as such:

“I am aware of (such and such a situation). It bothers me, as I am concerned for this (anonymous) person. Father, I don’t think it’s my place to point out other people’s sin. Is there anything more I can do besides pray for (him/her)?”

In other words, how can I be of assistance without being a rat? How can I help this person remove that splinter when I am aware of my own log?

In my parish there is a gentleman that was not allowed into the diaconate formation because he could not get his current marriage convalidated – his request for an anullment was denied after making every attempt to receive one. Sadly this process became very public within our parish because he is outraged he did not receive an anullment.

Now he’s become a “senior altar boy” of sorts. He still receives communion and he now serves at the altar – sort of a “junior deacon” in his mind, although not in reality of course. Something seems mighty fouled-up with this situation but my pastor knows his background is public knowledge so it’s on him and the senior altar boy.

He should be ratted out to the bishop, no? Where is the concern for this man’s soul?

 

[happymommy]

You can’t be serious… So we should all go around point out when other people sin? That’s ridiculous. That’s not what God wants us to do.

I’d hate to see the plank in your eye.

No I don’t think we should go around pointing out all sin, but when we know someone is sinning every week and it’s a grave sin, we should try to help.

Don’t worry about my plank, just your own

 

[Jean_Anthony]

Please keep the discussion civil, everyone. Thank you.

 

[happymommy]

I feel that if there is something we can do to help someone get to Heaven, we should do it. I don’t think this woman needs to go to the priest and start naming names, but at least ask for suggestions to help. It’s not butting in or being nosy. It’s concern over someones soul. Just my 2 cents.

 

[chiibug]

chiibug:
you don’t have scripture or church teaching to back up your opinion.
therefore, it is only
your opinion.

Saving someone’s soul from damnation—DAMNATION—is the job of all of us as brothers and sisters.
Scripture says that we are our brother’s keepers.

I don’t think God appreciates people using scripture as an excuse to demean another. I saw first hand growing up how “Charitable Christians” like to butt their nose into another’s business. And their immortal soul was an excuse to be judgmental. Such “loving” people, that treated me like a second class citizen for the sins of my parents. People that prided themselves as being pillars of the community. People that dropped lines like being our brother’s keeper.

Thanks, but no thanks. There is nothing Christian about publicly humiliating another human being. Having the priest talk to her after she’s already been talked to about the issue is just going to make it clear to her that the entire community is judging every move she makes, including whether or not she stands at Communion.

 

[jmcrae]

I don’t think God appreciates people using scripture as an excuse to demean another. I saw first hand growing up how “Charitable Christians” like to butt their nose into another’s business. And their immortal soul was an excuse to be judgmental. Such “loving” people, that treated me like a second class citizen for the sins of my parents. People that prided themselves as being pillars of the community. People that dropped lines like being our brother’s keeper.

Thanks, but no thanks. There is nothing Christian about publicly humiliating another human being. Having the priest talk to her after she’s already been talked to about the issue is just going to make it clear to her that the entire community is judging every move she makes, including whether or not she stands at Communion.

Nobody is suggesting that this woman be publicly humiliated. Asking the priest’s advice in a general way, or mentioning to him that some parishioners (without naming names) are experiencing this issue is not the same thing as tattling on her, or making her issue public.

 

[Brendan]

I don’t think God appreciates people using scripture as an excuse to demean another. .

One thing to keep in mind is that no person is being demeaned. Rather, a particular action ( the reception of Holy Communion while in an irregular marriage) is.

Actions may be judged, people may not, To comment on an action is not to demean a person, or even to judge a person.

People are not actions and are not defined by their actions.

And yes, God DOES appreciate it when actions contrary to the teachings of the Church are corrected, especially by the invocation of the clergy.

 

[BSHoop96]

The woman is an adult. She is fully aware of any sins she is committing. I’m not one to cast the first stone at anyone else. I also don’t go around trying to catch people in mortal sin.

How about we wait at the front door after Christmas Mass and point out all the C&E Catholics that accept Communion?

“I rebuke… um… thee, and thee, and thee… OH! And thee! I rebuke you guys, and you over there…”

Right…

This is such a typical response. The suggestion has been made that since the woman is knowingly and repeatedly receiving the Eucharist in a state of unworthiness which jeopardizes her own soul it might be a good idea to ask the priest privately, without mentioning names, if he thinks something should be mentioned in that situation and you have people at the Church doors after Christmas Mass pointing out sinners. Quite a jump wouldn’t you think? back at ya.

 

[Wohu]

I believe that the woman has a moral duty to notify the priest of the situation [as noted already she does not have to reveal the identity of the person] The person who is aware of the priest’s handling of the"senior altar boy" situation has a moral duty to notify the Bishop of the situation.

The priest and the Bishop then has the duty to take corrective action.

Just ignoring the sacrileges should never be entertained, under any circumstances. Knowingly, receiving the Body and Blood of the Lord unworthily is indeed a sacrilege. The Church has already stated its position on such scenario’s [pro-choice politician’s receiving].

It is NOT an act of Charity to be silent in the face of such continued sacrilege. Imagine the effect on the other parishioners where they see the “senior altar boy” situation, without any reprecussions.

It is so outrageous to allow or Lord to be knowingly abused in the Blessed Sacrament, without doing all that one can do to stop it. We should never be intimidated by the mantra “who are you to judge”; that is an effort to quickly stifle all discussion

God Bless