Hello all. I'm just wondering. I know marrige is a sacrament. And if two baptized Catholics get married, in God's eyes they are married for life, one flesh. But Jesus says if a married person marries another they are commiting adultry. For some strange reason I always thought He meant the "act" of the second marrige! But apparently he means every time the now remarried couple have sex their commiting adultry??

So what if two baptized Catholics get married, but never had a strong faith and fall away, then get divorced. Then both remarry (by eigther a justice of the peace or a protestant preacher) and now love their new spouse BUT... a few years later come back to the Catholic faith. Where they want to believe in God, go to mass, study Catholicism, and raise their new born baby Catholic? Are they to leave each other because in God's eyes there really not married to one another? If they continue to stay married will the go to hell??

-- William (Ducin25@aol.com), February 28, 2004

Answers

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-- The Bumper! (Bump@bumpitybump.bump), February 28, 2004.

Yes, one who believes in Him is not condemned. However, that fact does not constitute a license to sin. Jesus said "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him."(John 14:23) One who claims to believe in Jesus Christ, but does not keep His word, is a hypocrit, and cannot expect to be saved.

Regarding the marital situation described above, it makes no difference whether the remarried person comes back into the Catholic Church or not. He is living in an ongoing objectively adulterous relationship as soon as he remarries. Joining a Protestant church doesn't grant immunity from the Law of God. He may find a Protestant church which accepts divorce and recognizes his second "marriage". But the fact that some churches don't teach the truth doesn't change the truth itself. That's why Jesus founded only one Church for all men - so that all men might know the complete and genuine truth which sets us free.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), February 28, 2004.

William,

I understand your frustration. The problem is that we live in increasingly pagan and hedonistic society. The Church however remains true to the teachings of Christ. Our society rejoices at Britney Spears kissing Madonna. It cheers Rosie O'Donnel getting "married". The problem is that God believes in absolutes and our society doesn't. Abortion is either right or its wrong. Sex outside marriage is likewise right or wrong. There are no hypothetical situations where its ok to have an abortion if... or to have sex with someone other than your spouse if...

In the situation you gave the remarried couple would indeed be in an adulterous marriage until the first marriage was found to be invalid. There is the chance that the first marriage would be found valid which would mean that the partners would be required to be celibate. Adulterers who have not confessed their sins are not to take the Eucharist. In the case of second marriage where the first marriage was either found to be valid or where no annulment was sought the couple would be in a continuous adulterous relationship.

Noone knows who is going to Hell. God is merciful so He could save these individuals if they asked for forgiveness. The Church gives the best guidelines to salvation and it is in our best interest to follow Her.

If this situation applies to you or a friend I would recommend speaking to a priest. They can help with your concerns.

-- davidf (notreal@address.org), February 28, 2004.

Faith,

That's why God calls us to base our morality on the infallible teaching of His Church - not on our personal guesses about the meaning of scripture.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), February 28, 2004.

Faith,

Prudence requires that we not take chances with the possibility of going to Hell. Hell is an absolute reality because God is not simply infinitely merciful, He is also perfectly just.

Unfortunately, some of us will indeed go to Hell if we are not willing to embrace the crosses we are presented in life and follow Christ. This is a bit counter-cultural. Satan has been succesful in fostering selfism in our culture. But it is an absolute reality of our Faith.

True freedom can only be found in following the path our Lord has laid out for us. Sometimes this path requires renouncing a relationship for a time, or even permanently. Sometimes the path even requires a life-time of celibacy, although not chosen willingly.

Good luck with this. Whomever is involved.

-- Pat Delaney (pat@patdelaney.net), March 01, 2004.