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Hi, Meredith —
Without a granted annulment, No, because they got married outside
the Church. Moreover it's presumptuous
to marry prior to the granting of
an annulment. It's still adultery.
To be honest, I don't recommend
anyone who hasn't been granted an
annulment to even start dating. They
are still married in the eyes of
the Church and of God. Dating as
a married person, constitutes a form
of cheating even if there are no
sexual relations involved. I don't
know that the Church is quite so
strict; it's just my opinion, but
it's grounded in truth and it also
makes sense.
- Why date when you don't know
if you can ever marry again?
Annulments aren't an automatic thing.
- Why run the risk of getting emotionally
attached to someone and then not
being able to marry them if the
annulment is not granted?
But again, getting married outside
the Church is not a good idea.
If the annulment is granted, Yes, both people could be restored to full communion with the Church and receive Holy Communion, if
the second marriage was blessed and
they each went to Confession. They
would both be guilty of adultery
and, of course, both are guilty
of marrying outside the Church. Those
sins would have to be confessed but
here is the thing:
You make a
sacrilege of the sacrament of Confession,
if you commit the sin with the intention
of just going to Confession later.
Genuine repentance is always possible
but God won't be mocked so this isn't
something I'd plan on doing.
John
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