Nope...not an “emotional appeal” at all, just a rational question that probably happens frequently these days. Don’t tell me there isn’t some precedent for something like this? A couple, both already divorced and remarried to each other - let’s throw in a couple of kids, to make the argument realistic - decides they want the family to join the Catholic Church. What do you tell them, “Sorry, you don’t meet our qualifications and we won’t let you take Communion.”? “We’ll take the kids, but you two aren’t allowed.”?
Not our qualifications but those of Jesus Christ.
They are allowed if they separate from the sexual partner they are not free to marry.
A point well made. If they divorced and remarried before coming to saving faith then though their sins were as scarlet they shall be white as snow. Same thing for a convicted murderer. Comes to the Lord in prison, we welcome them to the Body of Christ, they do their time.
When I once went with a friend to her Protestant denomination church, they passed around Communion and I didn’t dream of taking it. My friend asked why, and it wasn’t because I was Catholic, just that in the Catholic church it was done differently, and I had to study and make my First Communion before going up for Communion on a regular basis. This was my child’s eye view, not thinking a Protestant Reformation had been started over things such as this!
Now as an Adult, I see Protestants and Catholics as more defined by
stylistic differences then pure substance. Yes there are still some major
disagreements and misunderstandings, but we all believe in Jesus Christ as Savior. But you and the hypothetical family would be allowed to attend my Catholic church service at anytime, and I think I’d be welcomed at your service. Granted, you may share your communion with me perhaps, but I would have to tell you that you needed to be a member of the Church first. But you would be welcomed to come and learn and attend Mass, Catechism class if you wanted, come to our group meetings, speak with the Priest, and to become a Catholic.
Technically, I haven’t been to confession in so long I probably shouldn’t be taking communion!
Yeah it really was an emotional appeal, but it does have an answer.
The answer is dependent on their past circumstances.
1Were they or their previous spouses ever baptized using the tridentine formula? If either spouse was not baptized then they are not considered Christian. and a previous marriage is not viewed as valid.
2)Condition at the time of the marriage. Were both parties knowing willing participants at the time of the marriage. a quickie marriage while drunk in Vegas is not considered valid. Neither would one be considered valid if one of the participants was forced into against their will, such as a "shotgun" marriage due to pregnancy.
3) the marriage performed itself. If it is a justice of the peace it is not a valid sacramental marriage. Neither is one where the couples religion does not view marriage as a sacrament.
In all of those cases a couple should have no trouble getting an annulment. "Should" being the operative word. There may be conditions that apply that I am not aware of.