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Christine Ann
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | An Hours' Drive From Cincinnati, Ohio USA |
| Posts: | 114 |
| First Name: | Christine Ann | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | former Lutheran, Baptist, now Catholic. |
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Posted: Tue Oct 17th, 2006 06:21 pm |
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I've just had it confirmed today by the Parish Priest that My husband and I both will have to have our first marriages annulled. I know this eliminates me from the Eucharist and other Sacrements, but what is my standing with the Church at present? I'm attending Mass and have participated to the degree that I am able....is this wrong? Should I not worship with the others, stating the creed and participating in the liturgy? I want to do the right things the right way. Can someone advise?? I feel as if I'm in limbo, but I want to worship and I feel I have nowhere else to go. I'm also attending RCIA meetings...can I continue to do that while I deal with the annulments? I understand the Church's position on marriage and agree, but this is a very sad situation.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5080 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Oct 17th, 2006 08:01 pm |
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Christine Ann wrote: I've just had it confirmed today by the Parish Priest that My husband and I both will have to have our first marriages annulled. I know this eliminates me from the Eucharist and other Sacrements, but what is my standing with the Church at present? I'm attending Mass and have participated to the degree that I am able....is this wrong?
No. You may continue to participate fully in all aspects of Church life except her sacramental life. You may serve in any ministry except altar ministry or catechetical instruction. In other words, you can serve on the bereavement committee, be a member of parish organizations, accompany youth trips, etc. You cannot be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion or a Lector, but you can sing in the choir and help fold bulletins. Your children can attend RCIC and be accepted into the Church, and they can attend religious education. You can become a registered member of your parish, and they will not give back the contributions you place in the collection basket.
You can attend mass, pray the rosary as part of a group, attend Eucharistic adoration, participate in Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and the Way of the Cross, etc. You may continue to attend RCIA instruction but will not be allowed to participate in the Rites and rituals until your declaration of nullity is granted.
In the event of your or your husband's death, the parish can offer a funeral mass on your behalf and you can be buried in the church cemetary.
Your parish and/or diocese may have more restrictive regulations. I hate to be so general, but in many cases the bishops of local dioceses will make more restrictive rules than those of the Church in general, and that is their prerogative. Such rules are usually made in response to problems that may have occurred in the past and are established for valid reasons.
(My answers above are based on the assumption that you are a baptized Christian. If you have not been baptized, you can still attend mass but you may be restricted from some ministries.)
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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