Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
back
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History


Scott wrote:

Hi, guys —

I used to be a God nut, not in a bad way, but I wanted to be a priest. It ranked right there with astronaut! I lost it though. I stopped praying then just really didn't care what He thought.

Anyway, I got married and we had two children then my wife's doctor suggested that she get her tubes tied. I encouraged it and she wasn't against it but I feel responsible now, like if I had done the right thing and told her not to get her tubes tied, she wouldn't have done it. We've talked to the doctor about undoing it and they said that type cannot be undone.

At the time, it wasn't a problem, but now that I have found my way back to Church it is tearing me up. I watch all these people receiving Holy Communion knowing that I can never receive again. From my viewpoint, this is not something a simple Confession can fix. This was a permanent thing and so is the sin. This has been eating at me for years.

  • Am I wrong to feel like this?

I pray that one way or another I get answers. Of all the things in life to miss, not receiving the Blessed Sacrament hurts the most. I miss it more than anything in this world.

Scott

  { Am I wrong for feeling this way after encouraging my wife to get her tubes tied? }

Paul replied:

Dear Scott,

I have both practical and spiritual advice. The practical advice is to get another opinion on whether your wife's operation can be undone. If it cannot, then you should diligently practice natural family planning as a couple, as if she could become pregnant. This is one way to atone for what has happened.

The spiritual advice is to contact your pastor ASAP. If you have sincerely repented, which it seems you have, then the Sacrament of Confession should enable you to receive our Lord in Holy Communion again; the same holds true for your wife. But first make an appointment with your pastor to explain your situation. His formula for penance may be different than what I suggested and may take some advance thought on his part before you make your actual Confession.

Peace,

Paul

Scott replied:

Thanks Paul.

Originally, it couldn't be undone, but they botched it so bad, now everything is going to have to be removed. I've had problems with pastors recently. It takes me awhile, not so much trust them but, to know and get acquainted with the pastor. Just as I was getting to know our last one, we have a new one.

That may be the perfect situation though.

Thanks again!

Scott

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.