A Question About Affinity & Dating

Posted on October 1, 2020 by Father Joe

QUESTION:

This is a rather complex question but one I need an answer to because I really don’t want to be doing any wrong. I have a half-sister who was with this man, not married (now broken up) and they had a child— my half niece. The man had three children of his own with another woman before this. I just met my sister and everyone else but I’m having feelings for this man’s son, who as it turns out, is my half-niece’s half-brother— but of no relation to me.

Now this man also has grandkids from that son for whom I have feelings and another one of his sons. And I have children of my own.

So I guess what my question is this: is it alright to date his son? We are no relation, but I feel it might be wrong. So I don’t want to go ahead if it is wrong. I’ve been searching for an answer to this for a while with no real luck. Thank you so much in advance.

RESPONSE:

There is no direct relationship and no connection by blood. Unless I am missing something it should be okay.

However, was the son previously married? Were you? If so are the spouses both deceased? A divorce would still be problematical as the Church requires annulments. Dating between divorced persons can still constitute adultery.