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Karen
Felts
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
I want to answer my nine-year-old grandson's
questions without causing him any further
confusion. His mom (a Catholic) and dad are
divorcing. His mom has had two boyfriends within
six months. His question was:
- Isn't it against God's law to have boyfriends
when you are still married?
- His mom takes him to Church occasionally
and he goes to CCD classes, so he has some
comprehension of how the Church works;
but what do I say?
I was also raised Catholic but still need
help with this one.
Karen
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How do I answer my grandson's query about mom having two boyfriends without causing confusion? }
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Mike
replied:
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Hi, Karen —
Thanks for the question.
You said:
- Isn't it against
God's law to have boyfriends when
you are still married?
I'd tell him:
If by boyfriends, you mean boyfriends
mom is currently dating:
Yes, it is against God's law to
have boyfriends when you are still
married.
If a man or woman get a
divorce, it doesn't mean they
are no longer married. A
divorce determines property issues
between the two separated parties:
a man and a woman. Only
the Church can determine the marriage
issues.
Mom has to petition the Church
for a declaration of nullity.
She can do this by talking to
a priest. The best thing
we can do is encourage her to
talk to a priest and pray for
her.
I would also encourage your grandson
to receive the sacraments regularly:
Sunday Mass and (Confession on Saturdays,
if not monthly).
Mike
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Mary
Ann replied:
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Hi, Karen —
A way to respond to your grandson
is to say,
"Yes, it is wrong to have
boyfriends while you are married.
People don't always do the right
thing. We all do wrong sometimes.
We should love each other and
pray for each other."
Also, don't be afraid to tell your
grandson that God hates divorce,
too, as I am sure he does.
Nevertheless, we
still honor our parents, love them,
and pray for them.
Mary Ann
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