[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?

[annalex]

The woman had to separate from her husband till such time that they marry in the Catholic Church, or remain divorced. Divorce, by the way is not a sin; fornication is.

They could have been married in the Catholic Church while the husband was Protestant on a dispensation from the bishop, almost always available. That she did not do that puts her in a state of sin, which she cannot be absolved from while living with the man.

[verga]

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

THEY WERE NEVER MARRIED IN THE EYES OF THE CHURCH!

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?

Show me from this thread or Canon Law where the spouse must become Catholic! Go ahead I dare you! You clearly did not read a single posting on this either from the other Catholics or myself. How many times was "Dispensation from form mentioned"?

Keep bearing false witness and telling us that you are a Christian.