Bishop Schneider: Well, infidelity during marriage is not at all a reason for the nullity of marriage. When the consent was given during the celebration of marriage with all requirements of freedom and consciousness on both sides, this is a valid marriage, and nothing can dissolve it unless death, as the formula of the celebration says. What God joined you cannot separate, and even acts of infidelity cannot separate them. In these cases, it is, of course, very sad, such cases of infidelity, but the innocent party must pray for the other, for his or her conversion, and patiently, as long as possible, admonish him or her. And of course, a separation is possible if there is no other way to live peacefully. They can be given a separation with the permission of the church for a certain time, but not a divorce, and not permission to engage in new unions. We have to follow the commandment of God, which is the indissolubility of the marriage bond.
Christopher Wendt: Thank you. Actually, a follow-up question. How would somebody go about getting permission from the church for a separation for a time?
Bishop Schneider: Well, there must be a serious reason why they cannot live together, probably when there is a real danger to peaceful life, or a danger for the children, or physical or mortal danger. The innocent party can ask the church for permission to live separately. Even before receiving the permission, the innocent party can depart on their own decision and later ask the church to give the permission or to recognize the state of separation. This is possible.
Christopher Wendt: Does the local pastor, their local priest, do that, or the bishop?
Bishop Schneider: Yes, through the local pastor, the bishop, yes.
Christopher Wendt: Okay, thank you, Your Excellency. I am following up on the second part of her question. It is a little confusing, but she says that her husband was also married and never got it annulled. So if I understand correctly, if she married her husband, but he was already married and never got an annulment, she is wondering if she can return to Communion because she married a man who was already married and did not get an annulment.
Bishop Schneider: Yes, in this case, when she married a man who had a valid marriage and did not have an annulment, then she is living in adultery with this man, and she cannot go to Holy Communion, of course, because this is a violation of the indissolubility of marriage and of God's commandment. Therefore, it is not possible, unless they decide to live in complete continence as brother and sister. They must not go to Communion if they live as brother and sister in places where they are known as a couple, but they must change their living situation so as not to cause scandal.