Grandmothers Rejoice As Cool Pope Marries Couples Living In Sin

[4588686]

"Cool Pope is at it again. This Sunday, he's going to marry 20 couples who are already cohabiting. Some of the couples even have kids! Their poor Catholic grandmothers are going to feel so much better now. (Cohabitation is a sin in the Catholic Church)."

 

http://gawker.com/grandmothers-rejoice-as-cool-pope-marries-couples-livin-1634167496

[Basilisa Marie]

Obligatory "Pope isn't doing this to give approval of their previous sins, but to encourage them to pursue the right path" comment. 

[CatholicCid]

I like how I can't tell if the author's title and opening paragraph is sarcastic or not, since I'm sure most grandmothers, if not all Catholics, would rejoice for couples who are "no longer wanting to live in a union and with feelings that are deprived of some of the sacraments."

Edited September 14, 2014 by CatholicCid

[Ash Wednesday]

Because Gawker is such a great place to get your Catholic news. What's next, Pope Francis updates courtesy of Page Six and exclusive live reports from the Vatican on TMZ?

 

I just can't wait to hear what people have to say about it on Oh No They Didn't.

[John Ryan]

Is cohabitation technically a sin in the eyes of the Vatican, or is the pre-marital sex part the sin? Like what if two people cohabitate and sleep together but do not have sex?

[ParatumCorMeum]

Is cohabitation technically a sin in the eyes of the Vatican, or is the pre-marital sex part the sin? Like what if two people cohabitate and sleep together but do not have sex?

 

Since avoiding the near occasion of sin is a condition of contrition.....  it's not mortal, but it's a Really Bad Idea.

 

You cannot tell me that two people who love each other and find each other attractive are going to be able to remain completely chaste and not start trying to rationalize doing more.   The first couple in existence, not yet stained with original sin  toyed with pushing the line... we aren't so fortunate.

 

Listen - the Church has no problem with living together if economic circumstances are TRULY necessary - but it had best be as brother and sister... this means separate quarters.

[Ash Wednesday]

Is cohabitation technically a sin in the eyes of the Vatican, or is the pre-marital sex part the sin? Like what if two people cohabitate and sleep together but do not have sex?

 

Someone could probably give a better answer than me, but I think part of it has to do with scandal. Like even if two Catholics getting married weren't sleeping together, perhaps it would other impressionable people the idea that you are, and that you would approve of it.

 

It also would be the matter occasion of sin/temptation to sin living in close proximity to your future spouse. 

 

That's my understanding of it, anyway.

[truthfinder]

Yes, and putting yourself in the temptation of sin is a sin itself (and we can't fool ourselves and say that living together won't be a temptation.) 

[Basilisa Marie]

Since avoiding the near occasion of sin is a condition of contrition.....  it's not mortal, but it's a Really Bad Idea.

 

You cannot tell me that two people who love each other and find each other attractive are going to be able to remain completely chaste and not start trying to rationalize doing more.   The first couple in existence, not yet stained with original sin  toyed with pushing the line... we aren't so fortunate.

 

Listen - the Church has no problem with living together if economic circumstances are TRULY necessary - but it had best be as brother and sister... this means separate quarters.

 

(welcome to phatmass!)

 

Not sure where you're getting the Adam and Eve stuff. Original sin is eating the fruit of that tree, upon which they realized they were naked and felt shame. If you're trying to interpret that in a sexual way, the only way that really works is related to the consequences of the first sin, not that it was the first sin itself. How do you know they "toyed" with pushing the line? Where's that in the text? 

But like Paratum says, the sin is in having sexual relations before marriage, and living together is an occasion of sin. Knowingly putting yourself in an occasion of sin can be sinful, depending on the situation. Putting yourself in a situation where you know you'll sin mortally is itself a mortal sin, too. Most of the time it's a bad idea to live together before marriage. But if the couple in question are spiritually mature, and have good reasons (like they can't support themselves alone, they don't have any other options, etc), it's not a sin to live together. You just have to especially careful in that situation, because you know that you're making it more convenient to sin. 

And like Ash Wednesday said, scandal can be part of it too. I think it applies especially when you're a leader in the church community, like if you're a catechist or some kind of minister or employee, and you're doing something like living with your boyfriend or girlfriend. It can give people the wrong ideas about what's an acceptable way to live the Christian life. 

Edited September 14, 2014 by Basilisa Marie

[Credo in Deum]

Gawker. LOL

[The Bus Station]

[Not The Philosopher]

The Bread of Affliction is actually pretty tasty. I've been spreading margarine on that stuff since I was a kid.

[Norseman82]

I like how I can't tell if the author's title and opening paragraph is sarcastic or not, since I'm sure most grandmothers, if not all Catholics, would rejoice for couples who are "no longer wanting to live in a union and with feelings that are deprived of some of the sacraments."

 

Or, as it used to be called, "Making an honest man (woman) out of them".

[Semper Catholic]

The church pumping the brakes on Benedict and installing Francis was genius.

[blazeingstar]

I think what many Americans and Europeans fail to understand is how some very Catholic Cultures today, especally Hispanic or Asian ones that were mixed with native religions.   They don't get married because they are afraid of divorce....I've known some couples that have been together 10, 20 or even 40 years without ever getting married.  This comes from the rampant divorce and remmariage culture and the feeling that marriage itself is the problem.  It's interesting to talk to someone who feels this.  They really think that the sacrament is the problem, not the solution, to broken couples and families.