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by ptrask on March 29th, 2006

ptrask

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My prior marriage was Catholic and hasn't been annulled. Why is it that I can't receive communion but a priest convicted of child abuse can?

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  • by sammy326 on August 1st, 2007

    sammy326

    You are looking at Religious answers from a "worldly" viewpoint and/or a "legal" viewpoint. The two don't mix. The question is a religious one, therefore the answer needs to be religiously based. The Catholic religion declares THEIR rules regarding life based on what is perceived to be God's wants for mankind. The government makes rules regarding life based on something else entirely...supposedly what is majorily good for all. These 2 viewpoints don't mix. The legal system isn't allowed to factor in Jesus and the church doesn't factor Him out. So when the question is asked "why can't a non-annulled-Catholic-marriage former spouse receive communion (Church law) when a convicted child abuser (legal law) can?" they really aren't comparing Apples to Apples, but Apples to Potatos. Anyone who chooses to be a part of a "group" (religion in this case) does so of their own free will and therefore also takes on the rules/guidelines of that group. One of the rules/guidelines of Catholicism is adhering to the mandates on their viewpoint of marriage and how to handle it if it doesn't work. CHURCH annullment AND atonement are required in order to make you "clean" again because otherwise you are constantly in sin. That is the viewpoint of the Catholic church when it comes to divorce. Period. If you want to continue practicing Catholicism, then the church annullment (which has NOTHING to do with a legal annullment) must be granted. If you (anyone, not you in particular) don't agree with this stance, then find another religion that doesn't look at it that way. Just because you have made your peace with God, doesn't change the basis of the beliefs of the particular faith you are proclaiming to hold as your own. It doesn't work that way. If you don't agree with the "rules" then go play on another team. As to the priest convicted of "legal" wrong-doings, if he does what the church says needs to be done to absolve himself of his sins, then he has done exactly as the annullment does for a marriage...he has cleansed himself of his sin and he is free to receive communion once again. He is simply playing by the same rules all Catholics have to play by. The "legal" system will still punish him for his crimes REGARDLESS of the churches feelings.
    I am NOT attacking YOU PTrask. When I use the word "you" I am using it in a generalized term that encompasses anyone that may encounter this situation. I have "sort of" been there myself and understand your frustration with the whole matter. I am trying to shed some light so you won't feel you are "worse than a Pedophile" just because you got divorced. You are not. But if you want to remain Catholic, you must adhere to the rules of the church, man-made or not. It stinks to think you have to do this to make it "right" but that's how the rules of the Catholic faith go.

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    • Thanks for your answer. I did not at all consider it a personal attack. I guess my real problem here, is I couldn't care less whether the Catholic Church accepts me personally, but my Catholic mother has a strong concern about her grandchildren being raised in the Catholic faith. How do I explain to my six-year-old when he receives his first communion why I am unable to walk up the aisle with him to receive communion too? I think it is easier to keep him removed from the Catholic faith than it is to explain to him why his mother and father will be burning in hell some day.

      ptrask

      by ptrask on October 8th, 2007

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