Expert: Fr. Michael - 3/27/2007

Question
I am a catholic woman. When I was 18 years old I became pregnant. My boyfriend at the time, and I decided to get married. We went to my parish priest and he said that we would have to go through 6 months of classes. I explained to him that I was pregnant and he gave his permission for me to be married outside of the church. So, my boyfriend, who is also a catholic, got married in a Unitarian church. Two years later my husband and I split up and were divorced. Is this marriage recognized in the eyes of the R.C.C and is the divorce recognized in the eyes of the R.C.C. Also, a few years later I married again. I was married in a First Congregational Church. That was 17 years ago and we are still married. Is this marriage recognized in the eyes of the R.C.C.? Am I commiting a mortal sin? I'm afraid to go talk to my priest as I am afraid he will  not let me accept communion.  

Answer
No priest can give you "permission" to a Catholic to marry "outside the Church."  Moreover, none of what you have said indicates that you understand (1) the teaching of the Church on marriage and (2) the reasons for that teaching.  Our best advice now would be for you to consult a *traditional* Catholic priest, who can explain the teaching of the Church and its basis and what steps you should take at this point.  There is a list of traditional Catholic priests at www.traditio.com/tradlib/masslat.pdf