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Question
Recently, my parents divorced, due to infidelity on my father's part. The marriage has not been annulled, and my mother does not want it annulled. She is of the belief that if her marriage is annulled, my sister and I would be considered illegitimate, and that we would not be considered catholic any longer. She also believes my sister would need to go through adult catholicism classes, and get remarried, because she would not have been considered catholic, due to being illegitimate as a result of our parents' divorce. Could you please shed some light on this for me? Thank you in advance.
Hi, Jennifer:
Thank you for your question.
Your Mother is extremely confused, and if she wants to know what the CATHOLIC teaching on these matters are, she needs to seek them out, study them, and be formed by the authentic Catholic teachings and NOT her own OPINIONS, that are in error.
1. An anullment is a declaration of the "non-sacramental" force of the marriage contract, due to some defect from the very beginning of the marriage, when the vows were exchanged.
2. Nevertheless, any civil effects of the marriage, such as legitimacy of children, etc. remain in force of law by virtue of the state.
3. The only way that you or your sister (or anybody for that matter) would and could be considered not Catholic, would be for you to abandon the Catholic Faith and reject it in belief and principle.
4. The validity of yours and your sister's Baptisms is not based upon anything to do with the status of your parents' marriage.
5. I believe that your Mom, your sister, you, your Dad, and ANY Catholic could always benefit from adult Catholic formation classes.
I recommend that your Mom undertake to study and learn Catholic Church doctrines, because it is obvious she does not know or understand them.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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