[pieceofthepuzzle]

Then it makes more sense to just shack up with someone, even have kids, because when that relationship ends there are no Catholic consequences. You just go to confession, say a few Hail Mary's, then get married in a Catholic church when you are ready. Then you're good, all is well, and you can go to communion, even if you have 10 children out there from previous non-marriage relationships. Or wait until you are on your fourth marriage to declare you are Catholic. That way, the previous marriages don't ‘count’, even if you have a ton of kids, because they weren't officiated by a priest in a Catholic church. Or, just be a Kennedy and get annulments, even after having children.

[ebb tide]

Are you Catholic? This is a caucus thread.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

Super logic - except it doesn’t work that way for 99% of the real world - shacking up ends relationships. Marrying later ends the relationship too. You get together in a different mode of thinking when you do that, most often.

Sure, there are deathbed confessions, but I would not rely on having time to say it, having a priest within earshot to say it to.

But I am not a gambling man. Do you feel lucky? Lots of guys in jail did too - and their recidivism rate suggests they learn slowly.

But we still preach to the shacking up - there is mercy, there is change....for the ignorant, but not so much the cynically ‘wise’.

Find her, help her get to heaven and get you to heaven - not just the sex and kids you know.

[DoodleDawg]

Well we can do all that, and accept that our Catholic faith means nothing to us. Or we can adapt to the times and accept the modern definition of marriage as a temporary relationship between a man and a woman that lasts until someone better comes along. Or we can continue to follow the scriptures and abide by the teachings of Jesus Christ and recognize marriage as what he said it is. My vote as a Catholic is for number three.

[HamiltonJay]

My grandmother and grandfather were married for over 25 years, had 4 children, divorced for a few years, and re-married to each other for another 10 years or so and divorced again...

Grandfather was able to get an annulment from the Church, which of course in the eyes of the Church says the marriage was never legitimate... which of course is nonsense.

I love my Grandfather, and am grateful to God daily I was fortunate enough to have him as part of my life for as long as I did, but if his case isn’t an example of how screwed up the Catholic practices are around divorce are, nothing is.