John Bond
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
If a man has a relationship with his girlfriend outside of marriage for many years, it is possible for him to:
- stop having sex with her
- go to Confession, and
- marry her later, after he felt that it was the right time for him to get married in the Church?
John
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If a man is having a relationship with his girlfriend, outside of marriage, can they marry later? }
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and in a similar question:
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Amker Phlang wrote:
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Hi guys,
Suppose two unmarried couples are having a relationship outside marriage.
- Is it possible for them to stop and go to Confession after many years living in sin and marry later in front of the altar?
Amker
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Can an unmarried, cohabitating couple marry later in the Church? }
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Eric replied:
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Hi John,
If he married her, he would still be in a state of adultery. Catholicism does not recognize civil divorce. Such an action would be against the sacrament of marriage, which lasts until death of one of the parties. The existence of something wrong at the time the first marriage was contracted that would affect its fundamental validity is a separate case.
I'd encourage this man to be reconciled with and faithful to his wife and forget about his mistress.
Eric
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John replied:
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Hi Eric,
I meant to say:
- Can an unmarried couple are having a relationship outside marriage, stop having sexual relations with each other, go to Confession and after many years of living in sin, marry later in front of the altar in the Church?
John
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Eric replied:
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John —
Any couple who is having sex outside of marriage can stop having sex, go to Confession, and approach the priest about getting married (or discuss any impediments to marriage), e.g., previous marriages.
This is a wonderful solution to the problem of the sin involved.
Eric
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Paul replied:
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Hi John,
Yes, it is never too late to repent, seek God's forgiveness, and begin doing the right thing.
Congratulations in rejecting evil and turning your life around to God.
Paul
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Eric replied:
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Hi Amker,
Any couple who is having sex outside of marriage can stop having sex, go to Confession, and approach the priest about getting married (or discuss any impediments to marriage), e.g., previous marriages.
This is a wonderful solution to the problem of the sin involved.
Eric
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