What are potential circumstances where one may divorce and still participat in sacramental life with the CC?

[St_Redemption]

Its something that I don’t understand very well.

 

[1ke]

Its something that I don’t understand very well.

Divorced and living as a single person = May participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

Divorced, received decree of nullity (or other administrative proof of freedom to marry such as Ligamen, lack of form, or dissolution of a natural bond), and married a new spouse validly in the Church (or with dispensation from form) = may participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

Divorced and remarried civilly without a decree of nullity or other declaration of freedom to marry = may not participate in the sacramental life of the Church until a) receives a decree of nullity and convalidates civil marriage, b) ceases common life with the civil spouse, or c) lives in continence with the civil spouse when separation is not possible (i.e. minor children involved, etc). “C” is usually under the guidance of the pastor.

HTH.

 

[St_Redemption]

Divorced and living as a single person = May participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

Divorced, received decree of nullity (or other administrative proof of freedom to marry such as Ligamen, lack of form, or dissolution of a natural bond), and married a new spouse validly in the Church (or with dispensation from form) = may participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

Divorced and remarried civilly without a decree of nullity or other declaration of freedom to marry = may not participate in the sacramental life of the Church until a) receives a decree of nullity and convalidates civil marriage, b) ceases common life with the civil spouse, or c) lives in continence with the civil spouse when separation is not possible (i.e. minor children involved, etc). “C” is usually under the guidance of the pastor.

HTH.

Perfect, thank you

 

[Mumbles140]

Also, upon the death of the divorced spouse, as the bonds of marriage apply only until death.

 

[Elizium23]

Also, upon the death of the divorced spouse, as the bonds of marriage apply only until death.

Yes, but I’ve never been clear on the procedure after that. It seems to me that a current invalid marriage would require a convalidation, because consent was not validly exchanged ab initio, but I have heard some people suggest that the marriage magically becomes valid upon the death of the original spouse…

 

[1ke]

Yes, but I’ve never been clear on the procedure after that. It seems to me that a current invalid marriage would require a convalidation, because consent was not validly exchanged ab initio,

Yes, because the marriage lacks form.

but I have heard some people suggest that the marriage magically becomes valid upon the death of the original spouse…

If both parties to the second (civil) marriages are non-Catholics (and non-Orthodox) then yes, the second marriage would be valid when the first spouse dies.

 

[James214]

If we’re talking about divorced and remarried Catholics, or one party being baptized Catholic and thus bound by canon law, then the marriage would require convalidation. This can be accomplished through a simple exchanging of vows in front of witnesses or a wedding mass. Unless otherwise demonstrated, it would be assumed that the first marriage had been valid until death. Upon death it merely frees up the surviving ex to enter into another marriage.

My wife had married civilly and divorced before meeting me and we were in a civil marriage until she went through RCIA, and while we were preparing for marriage we were still going to have to demonstrate that her first marriage was invalid – until her ex-husband passed away during the process. Our marriage still had to be convalidated.

[SIGN]Vivat Jesus![/SIGN]

 

[frangiuliano115]

Divorced and living as a single person = May participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

Divorced, received decree of nullity (or other administrative proof of freedom to marry such as Ligamen, lack of form, or dissolution of a natural bond), and married a new spouse validly in the Church (or with dispensation from form) = may participate in the sacramental life of the Church.

Divorced and remarried civilly without a decree of nullity or other declaration of freedom to marry = may not participate in the sacramental life of the Church until a) receives a decree of nullity and convalidates civil marriage, b) ceases common life with the civil spouse, or c) lives in continence with the civil spouse when separation is not possible (i.e. minor children involved, etc). “C” is usually under the guidance of the pastor.

HTH.

Posters here know more than I do but would like to add to 1ke’s first circumstance:

Divorced and living as a single, celebate person.

I add this because there is much confusion and just though this might make it clearer.

God bless you
Fran

 

[Neofight]

This might be an interesting thread to resume after the upcoming synod.

 

[1ke]

This might be an interesting thread to resume after the upcoming synod.

Since the answer will be the same, there is no need.

 

[Neofight]

Since the answer will be the same, there is no need.

We shall see! Many of the faithful never anticipated even minor changes in the past, but reform is in the very DNA of Mother Church.

Centuries ago, prior to when the Irish would forever change the Sacrament of Penance with more merciful, immediate forgiveness, there were many who could never conceive of such a change.

This particular issue may not see much change, but the Synod outcome, many, who cannot differentiate confuse “Tradition” with “tradition” will be rocked!

Stand by!

 

[thistle]

This might be an interesting thread to resume after the upcoming synod.

Why? Church doctrine cannot be changed.

 

[Neofight]

Why? Church doctrine cannot be changed.

First, let’s be clear: Doctrine certainly can, and has, been changed. Dogma cannot.

My contention is that even the most minor of doctrinal change will be found unsavory to many who, just on principle, resist change in any form.

 

[1ke]

We shall see! Many of the faithful never anticipated even minor changes in the past, but reform is in the very DNA of Mother Church.

We are not talking about disciplinary items that can be reformed. We are talking about a moral truth that a prior bond is an impediment to marriage and that those who “remarry” in such circumstances are committing a grave offense against the sixth commandment-- adultery.

Centuries ago, prior to when the Irish would forever change the Sacrament of Penance with more merciful, immediate forgiveness, there were many who could never conceive of such a change.

Again, what you describe is disciplinary in nature. All the changes in the world related to how the Sacrament of Penance is structured cannot make a sin into a non sin and cannot give absolution where there is no contrition or firm purpose of amendment.

This particular issue may not see much change,

It will not see any change, because it cannot.

but the Synod outcome, many, who cannot differentiate confuse “Tradition” with “tradition” will be rocked!

Stand by!

The objective state of those who attempt marriage while a prior bond remains is not “tradition”.

 

[frangiuliano115]

We shall see! Many of the faithful never anticipated even minor changes in the past, but reform is in the very DNA of Mother Church.

Centuries ago, prior to when the Irish would forever change the Sacrament of Penance with more merciful, immediate forgiveness, there were many who could never conceive of such a change.

This particular issue may not see much change, but the Synod outcome, many, who cannot differentiate confuse “Tradition” with “tradition” will be rocked!

Stand by!

I was involved in the church till about a year ago and have cut down for personal reasons.

About 18 months ago my group was given a questionnaire issued from Rome asking how we felt about different matters and asking each individual person to state what they did or did not like about the churchk besides answering the questions.

Was this questionnaire also distributed in the U.S. ?

I have mixed feelings about the synod. I feel like there really can’t be any big change because the whole understanding of sin, and forgiveness of it, would have to change. On the other hand a husband leaves a wife with 2 kids, she’s 42, they’re divorced now, she has to be alone all her life and raise these kids alone because HER husband left HER?
I’m not a liberal person but I have such conflict with this although I’ve taught what the church teaches - no problem there.

Well, let me leave it at that. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I must say that our priest is kind of getting us ready for anything, in a sense. Telling us (my little group that I still belong to) that we have to be ready for anything and that it’ll be the H.S. that will decide.

God bless you
Fran

 

[thistle]

First, let’s be clear: Doctrine certainly can, and has, been changed. Dogma cannot.

My contention is that even the most minor of doctrinal change will be found unsavory to many who, just on principle, resist change in any form.

First, let’s be clear. Dogma is doctrine. What you mean is infallible doctrine cannot be changed but in theory non-infallible doctrine can. However, non-infallible doctrine has never been changed.
Regarding anyone who has divorced and remarries without an annulment that is a sin of grave matter and is an infallible teaching which cannot be changed. Yes I know that a sin of grave matter is not automatically a mortal sin but I do not believe nowadays there is any living Catholic who does not know this teaching.
Another infallible teaching is that a person in a state of mortal sin may not receive Communion.
In short, the Church will not allow a divorcee who has remarried without an annulment to receive Communion.

 

[St_Redemption]

First, let’s be clear. Dogma is doctrine. What you mean is infallible doctrine cannot be changed but in theory non-infallible doctrine can. However, non-infallible doctrine has never been changed.
Regarding anyone who has divorced and remarries without an annulment that is a sin of grave matter and is an infallible teaching which cannot be changed. Yes I know that a sin of grave matter is not automatically a mortal sin but I do not believe nowadays there is any living Catholic who does not know this teaching.
Another infallible teaching is that a person in a state of mortal sin may not receive Communion.
In short, the Church will not allow a divorcee who has remarried without an annulment to receive Communion.

Is there anything about special circumstances like a woman being beaten daily by her husband?

 

[1ke]

Is there anything about special circumstances like a woman being beaten daily by her husband?

A woman in a domestic violence situation should remove herself immediately and seek help from law enforcement and social services to establish a legal separation or divorce from the abuser, protect herself and children, and obtain assistance in getting on her feet.

If you are referring to attempting another marriage, any person previously in a putative (presumed valid) marriage would have to show freedom to marry. Having already been married, a person would need to show proof of the death of their first spouse, obtain a decree of nullity, show some other evidence of nullity such as Ligamen or lack of form, or obtain the dissolution of the natural bond.

If and when a person who has been previously married can show current freedom to marry, then they may proceed with marriage.

 

[thistle]

Is there anything about special circumstances like a woman being beaten daily by her husband?

She should get out and get help and protection from the police and social services.

However, even if a legal divorce is justified based on the abuse this does not allow her to remarry without seeking an annulment and anything that happens during the marriage is not grounds for annulment. Grounds for annulment apply only before the marriage, albeit something during the marriage may be used to support any grounds prior to the marriage.