A: No. It is a misconception to think that the an annulment makes one’s children illegitimate. A Church annulment does not have any bearing on the legitimacy of children. An annulment has to do with the sacramental validity of marriage and therefore it’s potential to be dissolved, it does not affect the children born of…
We are not made to be one. Human beings need and complete each other. Friendship and community satisfy that longing with bonds of common interest and love. Marriage is a uniquely intimate form of friendship that calls a man and woman to love each other in the manner of God’s covenant. Marriage is a Sacrament.…
A. While many of us are familiar with the process our priests go through when discerning the call to serve the Church, we are not as familiar with the discernment process our permanent deacons undergo. While there are similarities to that of the priesthood, there are some distinct differences. The twofold call manifests itself both…
A. This question follows the same lines as the ones I answered on marriage and annulments. A marriage between two baptized persons is by its very nature a sacrament, and, for Catholics, must be celebrated in the Church. Therefore, a wedding outside of the Church between two Catholics or even with just one Catholic party…
A. I have left the wording of this question as it is because this is how it is most commonly asked, however, the reality is not a prohibition from marriage but a choice of something else. The Roman Catholic Church chose to choose her priests from among men called to celibacy, that is, the single…
A: The questions of the last two weeks are follow-ups to the original question of “Can a Catholic who has married a non-Catholic, who was previously divorced, receive Communion?” I believe these follow-up questions were necessary to fully understand the initial question. The Church’s arms are always open to people coming to her. The Church,…
A: The short answer is “no” but this is a very complex issue, I will have to break this question down into several parts which will be answered over the next few weeks. First, we must look at the Catholic understanding of marriage. (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church 1638-1654): …the marriage bond has been…
