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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Is a sacrament made invalid?	Michael	Friday, October 31, 2008
Question: I recently discovered that the priest who presided my wife and my wedding is under investigation for possible child abuse. If these allegations are true, and were taking place at the time we were married, does that affect the validity of our matrimony sacrament?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Michael: The Sacraments are still valid. The sinfulness of the priest does not invalidate any of the Sacraments. You are validly married. The ministers of the Sacrament of Marriage, by the way, is the couple, not the priest. The priest is there in the name of the Church to bless and confirm the consent of the couple who themselves minister the Sacrament. I am sorry to hear about this priest. We will certainly pray for him. As far as your marriage is concerned, do not fear, everything is valid despite the sins of the priest. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Is a sacrament made invalid?

Michael

Friday, October 31, 2008

Question:

I recently discovered that the priest who presided my wife and my wedding is under investigation for possible child abuse. If these allegations are true, and were taking place at the time we were married, does that affect the validity of our matrimony sacrament?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Michael:

The Sacraments are still valid. The sinfulness of the priest does not invalidate any of the Sacraments. You are validly married. The ministers of the Sacrament of Marriage, by the way, is the couple, not the priest. The priest is there in the name of the Church to bless and confirm the consent of the couple who themselves minister the Sacrament.

I am sorry to hear about this priest. We will certainly pray for him. As far as your marriage is concerned, do not fear, everything is valid despite the sins of the priest.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum