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Hi, guys —
As a young man I married a Protestant girl in a Protestant church. At the time, we were in love and in spite of being advised by my mother not to, I went ahead with the marriage.
Sadly, like so many young people, the marriage failed and we divorced. I met my wife Linda later and we have spent 25 wonderful years together. Although Linda is not a Catholic, she has raised both her daughters as Catholics. Both are now married and have three children between them. We all attend Mass on a regular basis and they, apart from Linda, receive the Holy sacrament of Communion, which breaks my heart as I cannot take part.
- Am I to spend the rest of my life like this for a foolish mistake that I so regret, or
- Is there any way that I will be forgiven and allowed to practice my faith properly?
Please help me.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Matheson
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Fr. Jonathan replied:
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Hi Chris,
When you got married for the first time did you have a dispensation from the Catholic Church.
This assumes you were a Catholic at the time.
If not, you are free now. If you were, you need an annulment.
Fr. Jonathan
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Chris replied:
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Thank-you for replying Fr. Jonathan.
- Are you saying that though I married in a Protestant church and subsequently divorced I can continue to practice my faith?
I don't understand because for years I have been led to believe that I renounced my right to receive Holy Communion when I got married in this way.
I did not receive any dispensation from the Catholic Church.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Matheson
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Fr. Jonathan replied:
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Chris —
Since you are I longer married to her and it sounds like a manifestly invalid marriage, go to a priest and sort it out.
From what you have told me it sounds like the process will be easy.
Fr. Jonathan
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Bob replied:
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Chris,
Seek an annulment and you can quite possibly overcome this sad situation. God will get you through this if you trust in Him.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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