I understand your argument...and if they are both practicing and believing Catholics then the Sacrament of Marriage is valid. But if they are not...then how can it be valid. I am openning up a very spiritual topic. If two people don't believe but marry in a Catholic church... is it valid in the eyes of God. They can, through the Grace of God, gradually believe and become saints bonded together as one. At that point it becomes valid. But how many weddings are just for the show and the after party. I guess for you... the law of marriage trumps belief or non-belief. I say...you must believe for the marriage to be valid. It can gradually become valid but at its inception it is invalid. How can it be valid if you don't believe. In a wordly sense all your arguments are correct. But the real issue is the starting point. My personal opinion is that most marriages do not start with the right focus. GOD Now adultery is obviously a sin...because the starting point is a sin. Just because i say the marriage is invalid in the eyes of God, doesn't mean they are not married. Of course they are married but not spiritually married. If one person believes and the other doesn't...is that how God invisioned marriage. Its not perefect. God envisions the couple to work together for the greater Glory of God. We must understand in a purely spiritual sense The Sacrament of Holy Orders is like the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. You have to believe for it to become valid. How can anyone argue it is valid if you don't believe. If it means nothing to the person that doesnt believe...how can in the Eyes of God can the marriage be valid? May Gods Will be Done
Garambadal, I havent quoted my own opinion...i don't think you can. But spiritually, we all make decisions that are spiritual and Worldly. Holy Sacrament of Marriage is a spiritual bond that i say (my opinion) needs belief for it to be valid. Ask any priest and it is spiritually sound. The funny thing is the spiritual-traditional priest would probably agree with me. And the liberal priest would probably disagree with me. There are four or five of you dislike my arguments because it does not fit the law. God is calling saints...marriage is a path to sainthood. Belief is the foundation. Brother al
"It is good to repeat with clarity that the quality of faith is not an essential condition of matrimonial consent, which, according to the doctrine of the Church, can be undermined only on the natural level." (Pope Francis).
Thank you great quote...quality of faith means belief (small or large doesnt matter). No belief is no faith. Keep searching that internet. Brother al
Ha, ha. As we say in Ireland - you are a "dacent spud", FH (I think you will have to Google that phrase to get its meaning, ha, ha) https://happydomesticity.wordpress.com/norn-iron-speek-or-northern-irish-dictionary/
RE: Title of this thread. A divorced person may receive Holy Communion. A separated person may receive Holy Communion. It is remarriage which causes the difficulty with receiving Holy Communion. If one is committing adultery whether married, single, divorced, or separated he/she is in a state of mortal sin and may not receive.
I BELIEVE the Church also teaches that Fornication also falls under the mortal sin of "adultery". So your argument still leaves these persons in the same spot, in a state of mortal sin and unfit to receive communion.
I have to ask Fallen Saint, only if you wish to reply, what personal circumstances caused you to think a valid marriage is so uncommon? I have met a lot of persons who have left the Church, or complained about the Churches stand on Marriage (as opposed to protestant churches) because they themselves are in a state of adultery, and refuse to acknowledge it. When we give our heart, time, treasure, and world to a human God has forbidden us, it becomes VERY hard to untangle ourselves from them. It's tragic, and happens a lot these days, but God never said it would be easy to be His.
Any mortal sin not confessed precludes receiving Holy Communion. My point is that in some circles divorce itself is falsely believed to be a mortal sin. Just in case there is this misunderstanding on this thread (see title) I am offering to correct a possible error. It has happened in some circles that the practicing Catholic who is a party in a divorce is treated badly by those who believe themselves well instructed in absolutely every jot and tittle of Church teaching. Some people who are already in great pain and difficulties are recipients of further assault by their fellows in the Faith. Some leave the Church after such treatment.
