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I have gotten pretty close to some suffering couples whom I was trying to prepare for the Sacraments in the RCIA program, only to realize that they were divorced and remarried, and their marriages had not been (and in one case, could not be) annulled. It was very sad, very painful for them, and for me, too, because they could not receive the sacraments of the Church.

In the end we could only counsel them to "live as Catholic as they could," be active with the parish, frequently seek spiritual Communion with Our Lord, be patient, trust God, wait. Very difficult.

However, I can't see any alternative. I'm not sure the Church has the authority to OK bigamy. And I'd say this, I think, even if it were myself involved in this situation.

“However, I can’t see any alternative. I’m not sure the Church has the authority to OK bigamy. And I’d say this, I think, even if it were myself involved in this situation.”

I think in the end Mrs. Don-o, The only one who can tell tell you that you are in a state of Grace is yourself...

I would argue that if indeed God was part of the marital union that fell apart, it wouldn’t have would it? That’s my thinking anyway.

Regardless of the possible grounds for an annulment, many people do not peruse one because it has the potential to hurt the X and the kids... People who are concerned about others are exactly the ones who deserve to receive the sacraments.

Divorced and Remarried Catholics cannot receive any of the sacraments, never mind the Holy Eucharist. They cannot even go to confession and receive absolution. I find much of this very disturbing. Although I’ve been told that they are not excommunicated, you might as well say they are.

It is because of the nature of our God, one of total unconditional love, that the Church needs to revisit the annulment process.

“In the end we could only counsel them to “live as Catholic as they could,” be active with the parish, frequently seek spiritual Communion with Our Lord, be patient, trust God, wait. Very difficult.”

I’m sorry, but the Church CAN do something about this. Is this the ONLY UNFORGIVABLE sin? Is there NO ROOM for sanctifying grace here?

The Church can and should revisit this. I’ve always been told what the Church binds and looses is law. Well, time to loose. I know many couples in this situation who have been told NO by draconian tribunals. I walk away from some of these situations, the clergyman responsible to provide support and comfort and advice, working through a very painful process, with a very downtrodden heart, knowing well that the couples original marriages were never valid.

Also, the regulations and laws encompassing what is “lewd” or “unlawful” are all human interpretations which over time have changed and either become more charitable or more stringent. The Church, in all charity, needs to revisit all of this.