[Alberta's Child]

My father walked out the door when on the day JFK was killed. My sister was 3 weeks old. There were 4 of us kids. The priest came the following week to tell my mother none of us could receive the sacrament.

Something about this doesn't ring true. Your father's decision to abandon his family would have absolutely no impact on the standing of his wife and children in the eyes of the Church. I would challenge anyone who makes such an assetion to cite a specific source in Catholic doctrine in support of that claim.

[Salvation]

And Alberta's Child has it right in #67.

[hummingbird]

I would challenge anyone who makes such an assertion to cite a specific source in Catholic doctrine in support of that claim.

I'm pretty sure its not doctrine (LOL); like Peach, all I have is anecdotal. I know it has happened as Peach has described although I don't know how pervasive it was...I'm talking 1950 - 1960's era. Vatican II might have something to do with why you don't hear about this type of thing today but there certainly were whisperings about why "so and so" wasn't at Mass Pre-Vatican II and I know that an abandoned spouse/family was, unfortunately, one scandal the Parish I was in would not tolerate. Pity...just when help was needed the most.