Does non-Catholic financée (or me) have to disclose an abortion to the church?

[Anonymous]

I wasn't sure if this is just something we best keep to ourselves or...? I'm Catholic, she was raised Protestant. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean "have to disclose?" You can discuss this with your priest. I wouldn't do it at regular confession since you may need additional time to talk through it.

[Anonymous]

If she is converting, Baptism may give her a clean slate. Abortion is considered a mortal sin. Women used to be excommunicated for it. If you have no part in the abortion, I'd keep my mouth shut.

[Anonymous]

If you disclosed this I bet they wouldn't marry you, especially in our more conservative diocese here. The church here wouldn't marry my best friend who lived together.

[Anonymous]

You should at confession if you were involved and you want to stay true to the tenets of your faith. You shouldn't take communion until you do.

Your Protestant fiancée does not have to confess anything unless she converts. We Protestants don't do "confession."

Don't overthink it, priests hear a lot worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she is converting, Baptism may give her a clean slate. Abortion is considered a mortal sin. Women used to be excommunicated for it. If you have no part in the abortion, I'd keep my mouth shut.

So sins before converting/baptism are a non-issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you disclosed this I bet they wouldn't marry you, especially in our more conservative diocese here. The church here wouldn't marry my best friend who lived together.

That's what I assumed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you disclosed this I bet they wouldn't marry you, especially in our more conservative diocese here. The church here wouldn't marry my best friend who lived together.

That's what I assumed.

There are plenty of Catholics who have had abortions. Forgiveness is kind of our stock in trade. If your parish is run by someone like that, shop around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you disclosed this I bet they wouldn't marry you, especially in our more conservative diocese here. The church here wouldn't marry my best friend who lived together.

That's what I assumed.

That is a ridiculous assumption. The whole point of confession is no matter what you've done, if you are sorry for it, you are forgiven. (your example of two people living together doesn't fit the bill because they were continuing to live together and not sorry about it. I don't agree with that outcome but just saying that you have to look at the equation being used to arrive at the correct outcome)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If she is converting, Baptism may give her a clean slate. Abortion is considered a mortal sin. Women used to be excommunicated for it. If you have no part in the abortion, I'd keep my mouth shut.

So sins before converting/baptism are a non-issue?

My husband converted and when he was Baptisied, the priest told him he was forgiven all sins. Anything from then on he'd have to confess. Abortion is a mortal sin, though, so I can't say for sure it would be forgiven through Baptism.

[Anonymous]

Op, look up project Rachael.

[Anonymous]

Catholic Church wedding? I'd think this would be an issue. Not disclosing what you know to be a sin is unethical and immoral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you disclosed this I bet they wouldn't marry you, especially in our more conservative diocese here. The church here wouldn't marry my best friend who lived together.

That's what I assumed.

There are plenty of Catholics who have had abortions. Forgiveness is kind of our stock in trade. If your parish is run by someone like that, shop around.

You cannot shop around. Not in the Arlington parrish that covers a lot of NOVA. You can attend other Catholic churches, but you cannot receive sacraments from them like baptism or marriage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you disclosed this I bet they wouldn't marry you, especially in our more conservative diocese here. The church here wouldn't marry my best friend who lived together.

That's what I assumed.

There are plenty of Catholics who have had abortions. Forgiveness is kind of our stock in trade. If your parish is run by someone like that, shop around.

I believe priests were given permission to forgive abortions. It used to be that you'd have to go to a Cardinal. Op, if you and your fiancee intend to be in the Church, then you should speak with your parish priest about this. If your fiancee isn't converting and you had nothing to do with the abortion, then leave it alone. If you were a part of the abortion and you have concerns, speak to your priest in confession.