[annalex]

Is this REALLY infallible doctrine of the Church??

Well, where do you see a fault?

while Father’s tone was unhelpful, what he said essentially is true. Someone who is living in an objective state that cannot be reconciled with Catholic teaching cannot receive the sacrament of reconciliation until and unless their objective state changes. Essentially, Father was giving you the truth. What is more pastoral than that? He could have stated it much better, however.

It would not have been helpful to you in any way had Father given you absolution and said, “Go in peace.” You would still be in that objective state of sin.

[metmom]

while Father’s tone was unhelpful, what he said essentially is true. Someone who is living in an objective state that cannot be reconciled with Catholic teaching cannot receive the sacrament of reconciliation until and unless their objective state changes. Essentially, Father was giving you the truth. What is more pastoral than that? He could have stated it much better, however.

So what was the woman supposed to do? Divorce her husband? Make her sin?

Her question was a valid one.Does this mean I can never receive the Sacrament of Penance and shouldn’t bother taking communion until I force the man I love to convert to my religion and get married in a Roman Catholic Church? It sounds so contrived!

And does *forcing* someone to become Catholic mean anything? Would it make it a *valid* marriage if he went through the motions and pretended to be Catholic?

[Elsie]

Well, where do you see a fault?

I see a dodge.

Yes or no is quite sufficient.