Valid marriage and civil divorce - necessary to civilly remarry to cohabit?

[x1980x]

Say a Catholic couple are validly and non-annullably married in the eyes of the Catholic Church, but have obtained a civil divorce, recognized by the secular law but, of course, ineffective to terminate the marriage bond in the eyes of the CC. If the couple would like to reconcile, can they begin to cohabit immediately upon repentance (as in the eyes of the CC they are still married, just separated), or must they wait until they have civilly remarried (e.g. in order to avoid public scandal).

 

[achmafooma]

I am not 100% sure…but believe the couple, being in a presumptively valid Catholic marriage, may live together immediately. Nobody really needs to know anyway whether they are currently in a civil marriage, so there wouldn’t even necessarily be public scandal. The couple may present themselves socially as being married even if they have not [yet] reestablished their civil bond.

Civil marriage is, as far as I understand, absolutely irrelevant to the morality of the situation. People can be legally married but not morally married, and they can also be morally married without being civilly married (as in the case you describe).

But, again, I’m not 100% certain . If I knew a couple in this situation, I would advise them to speak to a Priest to obtain definitive guidance.

 

[thistle]

Say a Catholic couple are validly and non-annullably married in the eyes of the Catholic Church, but have obtained a civil divorce, recognized by the secular law but, of course, ineffective to terminate the marriage bond in the eyes of the CC. If the couple would like to reconcile, can they begin to cohabit immediately upon repentance (as in the eyes of the CC they are still married, just separated), or must they wait until they have civilly remarried (e.g. in order to avoid public scandal).

The Catholic Church does not recognise divorce. Even if a civil divorce has been obtained the couple are still married in the eyes of the Church.

 

[BrushedByAngels]

Say a Catholic couple are validly and non-annullably married in the eyes of the Catholic Church, but have obtained a civil divorce, recognized by the secular law but, of course, ineffective to terminate the marriage bond in the eyes of the CC. If the couple would like to reconcile, can they begin to cohabit immediately upon repentance (as in the eyes of the CC they are still married, just separated), or must they wait until they have civilly remarried (e.g. in order to avoid public scandal).

I already know this answer because it almost happened to me. My ex-husband and I thought about getting back together and our priest said we are "still married in the eyes of God " and we did “not need to be married again to move in together.” I know Fr Peter was really cheering for us to try to make our catholic marriage work. Bless his heart.

My ex-hubby and I get along great together and still remain good friends , its a shame he likes to live like a womanizing bachelor and partier