When is it adultery?

[Monica4316]

I have a question that I really need an answer to… it doesn’t concern me but someone I know. Can someone please help me understand the Catholic teaching? (not personal opinions please)

If two non Christians got married (in a civil ceremony), and later on became Eastern Orthodox (but not really practicing, and didn’t get their marriage blessed or anything) - if they divorce and re-marry someone else (also in civil ceremony, I guess, but maybe not), would they be committing adultery?

thank you

 

[Bookcat]

I have a question that I really need an answer to… it doesn’t concern me but someone I know. Can someone please help me understand the Catholic teaching? (not personal opinions please)

If two non Christians got married (in a civil ceremony), and later on became Eastern Orthodox (but not really practicing, and didn’t get their marriage blessed or anything) - if they divorce and re-marry someone else (also in civil ceremony, I guess, but maybe not), would they be committing adultery?

thank you

The presumption of the Church is that if they were free to marry in the first place and never Catholics (Baptized or received into the Church) --the presumption is that the marriage was valid and that they would not be free to marry a second time until the death of one of the spouses.

But having said that…God judges them according to their lights etc…which means that they may not be guilty of adultery subjectively …for they may be acting “in good conscience”…

(and of course it is possible the first marriage was not valid…even though we presume it was…but God knows of course)