-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
-
CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Unbelieving husband has abandoned the marriage
- Separation and Marriage Restoration
- 5 Replies
Generally yes indeed. Even if separated or legally divorced we should not remarry. We are already bound.My (29F) marriage of 6 years has ended, not my choice. My ex-husband (37M) was a nonbeliever.I have seen scriptural evidence that seems to point to remarriage being sinful because there was no infidelity on either of our parts.
Catholics call this the 'Pauline Privilege' where two unbaptized people marry, then one becomes a Christian, then the other one will have nothing to do with the new Christian. That abandoned person is thus free to marry. But it works only for two unbaptized non-believers, one of which then believes, is baptized, and is spurned. Maybe that is your situation. Or not, if you were a believer and knowingly married an unbeliever.
It's complicated, isn't it. I'll add a wrinkle. The 'exception' in Matthew doesn't specify adultery. That was a much later rationalization. I think it likely refers to a marriage among relatives that are a bit too close, whose marriage would obviously be null and void.
Catholics are known for not allowing divorce. But we have a jurisprudence that can examine whether there was a real and valid marriage in the first place. Sometimes, because of profound immaturity, or of deception, or of pre-existing addictions it can be determined that it was a sham from day one. Like the guy who lied about his AIDS status or the woman who never intended to stay married for better or for worse. Such marriages can be determined to be null and void and you are granted a decree of nullity AKA an annulment. Then marrying again, really for the first valid time, is possible. You might have a good grounds for something like that. Or maybe the Pauline privilege. Or maybe you should accept not remarrying. OR, maybe he comes back to you. I have seen that happen, with a guy who suddenly figured out he was an absolute schmuck. It happens. If you were Catholic I would say you should make an appointment with a canon lawyer. Just call the Catholic diocesan office and ask. They can help you figure this out. If you ever decide you want to marry a Catholic you will have to go through that anyhow. It is a way clearer process than being scared and just jumping into something. I've known a few Catholic canon lawyers and they seemed pretty based (the good way).
I'll pray for you today that you can find peace and comfort.
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
Does the Church grant annulments in cases of marital infidelity?
- By Michie
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 0 Replies
Q: I know the Church investigates divorces and grants a “Decree of Nullity” if there is sufficient evidence of some foundational issue with the marriage, such as deception, unwillingness to have children or emotional problems. But what about cases where there was an affair/adultery and where the cheating spouse admits it? Would this involve annulment too, or would/could the church grant a divorce? (Indiana)
A: The quick way that I usually like to explain this is that while infidelity in and of itself is not a cause of marital nullity, it can be a “symptom” of one of these causes.
As you correctly note, a declaration or decree of nullity — sometimes popularly but inaccurately called an “annulment” — can be issued by a Catholic marriagetribunal in situations where an apparent marriage was found to never have been valid and binding in the first place. While in the big picture truly null marriages (that is, as opposed to valid marriages that failed) are relatively rare, there are many reasons why a union may have been invalid. These reasons are technically called “grounds.”
Grounds can range from the more dramatic, like kidnapping (see Canon 1089of the Code of Canon Law) or marrying under threats of violence (Canon 1103); to the more common and mundane, like certain kinds of psychological issues (see Canon 1095).
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
A: The quick way that I usually like to explain this is that while infidelity in and of itself is not a cause of marital nullity, it can be a “symptom” of one of these causes.
As you correctly note, a declaration or decree of nullity — sometimes popularly but inaccurately called an “annulment” — can be issued by a Catholic marriagetribunal in situations where an apparent marriage was found to never have been valid and binding in the first place. While in the big picture truly null marriages (that is, as opposed to valid marriages that failed) are relatively rare, there are many reasons why a union may have been invalid. These reasons are technically called “grounds.”
Grounds can range from the more dramatic, like kidnapping (see Canon 1089of the Code of Canon Law) or marrying under threats of violence (Canon 1103); to the more common and mundane, like certain kinds of psychological issues (see Canon 1095).
Countering an ‘essential element of marriage’
Continued below.
Does the Church grant annulments in cases of marital infidelity?
Learn how the Catholic Church views infidelity in marriage, and when adultery might lead to a Decree of Nullity or annulment.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
FCC grills Google over alleged faith-based discrimination in YouTube TV programming
- By Michie
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 0 Replies
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is demanding answers from Google over concerns that its YouTube TV streaming service might be discriminating against faith-based channels in its programming decisions.
The allegations stem from YouTube TV’s refusal to permit faith-based television network Great American Family, which is owned by Great American Media, to stream on its platform. The channel, which seeks to promote family-friendly Christian values in its shows, is available on cable and satellite television providers and many other streaming services.
“These concerning allegations come at a time when American public discourse has experienced an unprecedented — and unacceptable — surge in censorship,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the agency, said in a post on X.
“I’m asking Google for answers,” he added.
Continued below.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
The allegations stem from YouTube TV’s refusal to permit faith-based television network Great American Family, which is owned by Great American Media, to stream on its platform. The channel, which seeks to promote family-friendly Christian values in its shows, is available on cable and satellite television providers and many other streaming services.
“These concerning allegations come at a time when American public discourse has experienced an unprecedented — and unacceptable — surge in censorship,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the agency, said in a post on X.
“I’m asking Google for answers,” he added.
Continued below.
FCC grills Google over alleged faith-based discrimination on YouTube TV
The allegations stem from YouTube TV’s refusal to permit faith-based television network Great American Family to stream on its platform.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
Opus Dei prelate: ‘These are difficult times in the world and in the Church’
- By Michie
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 0 Replies
In his latest pastoral letter, the prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, reflected on how Christians should live joyfully in the context of “difficult times.”
“Joy, in general, is the effect of the possession and experience of something good. Depending on the type of goodness, joy has a greater or lesser intensity and permanence. When joy is not the consequence of some particular experience of a good, but the consequence of one’s whole existence, it is usually called happiness,” explained the successor of St. Josemaría Escrivá.
The prelate, who noted that “these are difficult times in the world and in the Church (and the [apostolate] is a small part of the Church),” also reminded that “always and in every circumstance, we can and should be happy.”
In this regard, he recalled how St. Josemaría was happy during his final years, despite the difficulties: “All of us who saw and heard our [spiritual] father in Villa Tevere during the last seven or eight years of his life saw that he was truly content and happy, even though he suffered greatly during these years, both physically and, above all, because of the serious difficulties in the life of the Church.”
Continued below.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
“Joy, in general, is the effect of the possession and experience of something good. Depending on the type of goodness, joy has a greater or lesser intensity and permanence. When joy is not the consequence of some particular experience of a good, but the consequence of one’s whole existence, it is usually called happiness,” explained the successor of St. Josemaría Escrivá.
The prelate, who noted that “these are difficult times in the world and in the Church (and the [apostolate] is a small part of the Church),” also reminded that “always and in every circumstance, we can and should be happy.”
In this regard, he recalled how St. Josemaría was happy during his final years, despite the difficulties: “All of us who saw and heard our [spiritual] father in Villa Tevere during the last seven or eight years of his life saw that he was truly content and happy, even though he suffered greatly during these years, both physically and, above all, because of the serious difficulties in the life of the Church.”
Continued below.
Opus Dei prelate: ‘These are difficult times in the world and in the Church’
In his latest pastoral letter, the prelate of Opus Dei, Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, reflected on how Christians should live joyfully in the context of “difficult times.”
www.catholicnewsagency.com
UPDATED: Which states protect churches from closure, 5 years after COVID lockdowns?
- By Michie
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 0 Replies
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic five years ago this week, on March 11, 2020.
Every diocese in the U.S. curtailed public Masses in some way during the ensuing lockdowns, many in response to state or local laws. Secular authorities varied widely in their treatment of houses of worship during the pandemic, with some imposing harsher rules on churches than on other entities deemed “essential.”
Legal protections afforded to churches have evolved considerably since the start of the pandemic, however. Many states have since passed explicit protections for houses of worship, ensuring either that they will not be forced to shutter again amid a future health emergency — or, at the least, that they will not be treated more harshly than other “essential services” allowed to remain open.
CNA compiled data on which states now protect houses of worship as “essential” and which do not. Peruse the map below and see where your state falls.
Continued below.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
Every diocese in the U.S. curtailed public Masses in some way during the ensuing lockdowns, many in response to state or local laws. Secular authorities varied widely in their treatment of houses of worship during the pandemic, with some imposing harsher rules on churches than on other entities deemed “essential.”
Legal protections afforded to churches have evolved considerably since the start of the pandemic, however. Many states have since passed explicit protections for houses of worship, ensuring either that they will not be forced to shutter again amid a future health emergency — or, at the least, that they will not be treated more harshly than other “essential services” allowed to remain open.
CNA compiled data on which states now protect houses of worship as “essential” and which do not. Peruse the map below and see where your state falls.
Continued below.
Which states protect churches from closure, 5 years after COVID lockdowns?
There is now legal precedent at the federal level suggesting that states may never shut down worship entirely again.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
GOP lawmaker calls trans Dem 'Mr. McBride,' abruptly ends hearing after ultimatum from another Dem
- General Politics
- 12 Replies
Exactly right. Not only are they asking us to participate in their fantasy, they are asking us to validate it. They are asking, no, demanding that we lie. This person was not a woman and never will be. Nobody should be compelled or coerced into lying.GOP lawmaker explains why he called trans Dem 'Mr. McBride': 'I don't have to participate in his fantasy'
Continued below.
GOP lawmaker explains why he called trans Dem 'Mr. McBride': 'I don't have to participate in his fantasy'
Rep. Keith Self, who referred to transgender Rep. Sarah McBride, as "Mr. McBride," said he is not obligated to "participate" in McBride's "fantasy."www.foxnews.com
This reminds me of Picard when Cardassian Madred blinds Picard with four bright lights, ordering him to say that there are five lights, and then causing Picard pain when he insists: "There are four lights!"
Upvote
0
Human Costs of Abandoning U.S. Help Around the World: The Experience of Catholic Sisters and Catholic Relief Services
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 2 Replies
A National Duty
48. The duty of promoting human solidarity also falls upon the shoulders of nations: "It is a very important duty of the advanced nations to help the developing nations . . ." This conciliar teaching must be implemented. While it is proper that a nation be the first to enjoy the God-given fruits of its own labor, no nation may dare to hoard its riches for its own use alone. Each and every nation must produce more and better goods and products, so that all its citizens may live truly human lives and so that it may contribute to the common development of the human race.
Considering the mounting indigence of less developed countries, it is only fitting that a prosperous nation set aside some of the goods it has produced in order to alleviate their needs; and that it train educators, engineers, technicians and scholars who will contribute their knowledge and their skill to these less fortunate countries.
www.vatican.va
48. The duty of promoting human solidarity also falls upon the shoulders of nations: "It is a very important duty of the advanced nations to help the developing nations . . ." This conciliar teaching must be implemented. While it is proper that a nation be the first to enjoy the God-given fruits of its own labor, no nation may dare to hoard its riches for its own use alone. Each and every nation must produce more and better goods and products, so that all its citizens may live truly human lives and so that it may contribute to the common development of the human race.
Considering the mounting indigence of less developed countries, it is only fitting that a prosperous nation set aside some of the goods it has produced in order to alleviate their needs; and that it train educators, engineers, technicians and scholars who will contribute their knowledge and their skill to these less fortunate countries.
Populorum Progressio (March 26, 1967) | Paul VI
Encyclical Populorum Progressio of Paul VI, 26 March 1967
Upvote
0
Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program is celebrating its 50th year of funding hunger and poverty alleviation efforts around the world.
- One Bread, One Body - Catholic
- 0 Replies
CRS' Rice Bowl Program Celebrates 50 Years of Global Hunger Reduction
Annual Lenten program kicks off, celebrates milestone anniversary
In celebration of CRS Rice Bowl’s 50th anniversary, supporters are invited to join CRS for a night of prayer and reflection on Thursday, March 20. The event will feature inspiring stories from CRS’ work around the world and will be an opportunity for supporters to come together to pray for an end to world hunger. Supporters are also invited to visit crsricebowl.org and share a Lenten prayer intention on the new interactive global map.
