If you are divorced and want to remarry in the Catholic Church, you will need to receive a church annulment. This need is similar to receiving a divorce from the State before you remarry.
To many, the catholic annulment process is mysterious and daunting. You may have questions, fears and misconceptions. My goal in writing this blog is to provide you with a forum for questions and answers on annulments.
I have served as a church judge for over 20 years and I have work with literally thousands of divorced individuals hoping to receive a church annulment.
Admittedly, after going through a divorce, most people don't even want to think about going through an annulment. The divorce was painful enough!
But you may be in a position where an annulment has now become a necessity, especially if you want to remarry in the Catholic Church. Are you in any of these situations:
• You’re a divorced Catholic who has fallen in love and wants to remarry in the Church.
• You’re a divorced non-Catholic who has fallen in love, and your Catholic fiancé wants to marry in the Church.
• You're divorced and already remarried [Catholic or non-Catholic] and you want to bring your civil marriage into the Church.
• You’re a divorced non-Catholic who wants to become Catholic and also remarry.
Or, you may want an annulment out of a desire to change your present "married status" in church law back to a "single status."
• You're a divorced Catholic who wants the option to remarry in the Church in the future.
• You’re a divorced Catholic who wants an annulment for “peace of conscience.”
Whatever your reason for seeking an annulment, it's important for you to know that you have the right in church law to petition the Church for one. Whether you are Catholic or non-Catholic, you have this legal right.
This is going to be an outstanding resource...and I oughta know...I had, not one, but two annulments...a blog such as this would have been a huge help...
ReplyDeleteI agree with presslord. Information is a good thing. Many people enter into the church annulment process without a clue as to what the annulment process entails. When you are aware of the proceedings and you understand what you are dealing with you can face it a lot better. Understanding grounds for a church annulment also helps a great deal.
ReplyDeleteThere are many people like presslord who may need two annulments. There are some people who may need one formal annulment and perhaps the second marriage may only be a lack of form, which is a simple documentary process. For example, canonical form is necessary for a valid marriage of a baptized catholic. With catholic parties, the church requires a certain formality to be present when the consent is exchanged. This formality is what we call canonical form. Only those marriages are valid which are contracted by a delegated official (priest,deacon, etc,) in the presence of two witnesses. (unless the parties have the proper permission or dispensation from the catholic church.) If canonical form is not a part of the marriage ceremony, where one of the parties is catholic, then this marriage is invalid because it lacked the canonical form.
I am a divorced Catholic wanting to remarry a non-Catholic in the Catholic Church. My first marriage was an elopement in Reno with no blessing from the Catholic Church. Do I still need to go through the process of having my marriage annuled? Was it ever "valid" in the first place? Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteIf one of the parties is a baptized Catholic at the time of marriage, and if that marriage did not take place in the Catholic church, and there was no dispensation from the Cathoic church to have it elsewhere, then that marriage is not recognized as a valid marriage in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteIt is invalid because it lacked the proper canonical form.
It would be good to visit with your parish priest, or your local tribunal - and bring your baptismal certificate (recent copy), along with your marriage and divorce papers (certified) and the tribunal will process your case as a documentary case (in other words, prove that it was invalid because of a lack of canonical form).
This is not complicated, and it is not a formal annulment process which you do not need.
The annulment process is taking much longer than expected and I am considering remarrying in a civil ceremony. My fiance is a non-Catholic who has never been married. If we marry in a civil ceremony, can we later do a Catholic ceremony after my annulment is complete? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIn answer to Matt's question, if you marry in a civil ceremony, and then your church annulment is granted later, you may then marry in a catholic ceremony.
ReplyDeleteMy fiance and I are both Catholic, my fiance was married in a court house and now is divorced. Is it possible to get married in the court house and have a blessing cerimony (like when marrying someone from a different faith) then later go back and have the full wedding after the annulment process is complete?
ReplyDeleteCertainly you can do that - if your fiance even needs a church annulment. If she/he was Catholic when she/he married by the justice of the peace, and that marriage never took place in the catholic church at a later time, then your fiance would not need a church annulment. You would need to discuss this with the priest who is preparing you for your marriage in the catholic church.
ReplyDeleteI would just ask that you think your decision through. What is the reason that you can't wait for the church annulment? Don't rush into the marriage. If your fiance was first married by the justice of the peace, does he/she really want to start their next marriage in the same way?
My ex-wife and I were married in 1986. She was 18 and I was 19. We got married in a civil ceremony after eloping without her father’s permission and the churches. My ex-wife was catholic at the time. We had children (all raised catholic) and in 1996 had the marriage blessed by the church (I was in the U.S. Army at the time) at Ft. Benning, Ga. We separated in 2004 and later divorced in 2007. I did not become catholic until 2006 and after being separated for over two years. I would like to be able to marry in the church later in my life. Any thoughts on my situation?
ReplyDeleteDear Stephen,
ReplyDeleteSince your marriage took place in the Catholic church in 1996 you would need a church annulment of that marriage. I would suggest that you contact your parish priest and have him direct you to the tribunal office in the diocese where you live. If you are not in contact with any particular parish at this time and you do not know who to ask that question to, please contact me at sandra@churchannulment.com and I can direct you to the place where you need to contact. You would need to let me know where you live,(what diocese) where your marriage took place, and where your ex-spouse lives (what diocese).
My ex-husband and I (both catholic) were married by a non-catholic minister in a garden ceremony without a dispensation from the catholic church to do so. We have since divorced and I have gotten different answers on if this can be annulled simply for "lack of form" or if, because it was still a religious cermony, it would require the longer tribuneral process.
ReplyDeleteSince you and your ex-husband were baptized catholic at the time of your marriage - and since that ceremony did not take place in a catholic church, or was not performed by a catholic priest or someone delegated by a catholic priest -then, that marriage is not recognized as valid in the eyes of the catholic church. You do not need a church annulment, you need a declaration of nullity because of a lack of canonical form. Even though it was a religious ceremony, a catholic is bound by the laws of the catholic church, which means it would need the catholic church's blessing in order to be valid. I hope that answers your question.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteAbout a year ago, I left the Catholic Church, because I was told that since I didn't have an annulment I couldn't receive communion. I can't receive annulment because I am in hiding from my ex husband (a violent man) and the Church would have to notify him. When I divorced him, I was neither baptised or Christian (he was Catholic). A few years later I married a Catholic man and through my own conscience became baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. While going through RCIA, I was told that since I had been married while not a Catholic previously, my marriage was not valid and I didn't have to go through the annulment process.
One night while watching tv, I heard a priest answering a viewer email and the situation was similar to mine and the priest declared that the person would have to have an annulment. I started doing research and from a catholic online support group (I never talked to an actual priest in my parish) I found out that I had to get an annulment in order to receive communion. So, for one year I have been searching and have been going to Protestant Churches and I really want to be a part of the Catholic church, but I don't want to jeopardize my or my son's safety.
From what you've written to others it appears that I don't have to have an annulment?
Also,for a friend of mine, if two people are neither baptized or Christian and they get a divorce, do they need annulment if they want to become Catholic? I truly appreciate any help you can offer.
From someone who wants to return to the Catholic Church.
Dear Dee,
ReplyDeleteThere are so many parts to your question and I am not sure that it is all clear to me. I don't want to lead you in the wrong direction or give you false information. If you can e-mail me at sandra@churchannulment.com I can then e-mail you directly. thank you
I am currently going through the RCIA process, so I am not yet Catholic. I am divorced with two children. Do I need an annulment if she was my first wife, BUT I was her second husband? By the way we were married in a Protestant Church we were both members of. Also IF I desire to become a priest after my children are off on their own could I be accepted?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Steven
If you’re first wife had a previous marriage, and, if she was not catholic and was not married to a catholic, and, if that marriage took place in the Protestant church, then that would be considered a valid, legitimate marriage in the eyes of the Catholic Church. Since that marriage is valid, then your marriage to her would be invalid because of an impediment of prior bond. In order to prove that however, you would need the documents of her first marriage and the proof of the non-catholic baptisms of both parties (hers and her former spouse). Sometimes, that is difficult to prove, and, if it can’t be proved because of the inability to obtain the documents, then you would need to file for a formal annulment. Of course, all of this should have been explained to you before you even entered into the RCIA program. Please check with your RCIA director who needs to know about your marital status, since it would affect any future marriage you may intend, or affect your desire to possibly enter the priesthood. A currently married man is impeded from Holy Orders (canon 1042.1). This includes even one who is legitimately separated from his spouse (canons 1145 - 1155). This impediment ceases with the death of a spouse, or when the marriage is dissolved or declared null by competent church authorities.
ReplyDeleteI am Catholic and am married to a non-Catholic but we wish to have a Catholic ceremony. My husband was previously married in the Catholic Church under odd circumstances as they had only met twice and there was no pre-marital investigation and they were 18 and 19 years old. Since my husband is not Catholic and his ex-wife will not give us her baptismal cirtificate can he still get an anullment? I do have the certificate of marriage signed by the deacon. Also we are living on an army base which is 40 miles away from the closest town. There is a church on base that provides services for many faiths so where should I go to start an anullment if we can get one?
ReplyDeleteYour husband would need a church annulment of his previous marriage. I would take the marriage certificate and go to the nearest catholic church. Show the pastor or priest at the parish the marriage certificate and the priest should be able to tell you where to go to apply for the church annulment. Your husband can file for the annulment in the diocese where he lives, in the diocese where his ex-spouse lives, or in the diocese where the marriage took place. I would talk to the parish priest, or talk to the catholic army chaplain who should be able to direct you. If any further question please let me know.
ReplyDeleteI was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. I married as a non-practicing Catholic to another Christian through the JP and never got it validated in the Church. I separated from him and remained separated, celebrated the sacrament of reconciliation and was able to receive again. I've since met a man who is non-denominational but has agreed to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony with me who is also divorced and has been married through the JP as well. Do either or both or neither of us need to get our marriages annulled before getting married in the Church?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you would not need to apply for a formal church annulment. You would have to approach your pastor for a declaration of nullity based on a lack of canonical form - since your marriage was never recognized as valid in the eyes of the catholic church. This is a simply documentary process and can be proved by the gathering of certain documents, which your pastor can explain.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to the question of the man you met who was also married by the JP - it would be important to know if his former spouse was catholic. If she were catholic, and their marriage was never blessed by the catholic church, then he would have to simply apply for the same kind of declaration of nullity that you would apply for - because his marriage would not be recognzed as valid because it lacked the proper canonical form required by the catholic party. However, if his former spouse was non-catholic, and it was the first marriage for both parties, then he would have to apply for a catholic church annulment, since his marriage would be recognized as valid in the eyes of the catholic church.
I am Catholic and never married. I wish to marry a non Catholic in the Catholic Church. My fiancé is divorced and she is unwilling to go through the annulment process because of negative things she has heard about it. She is however, willing to get married in the Catholic Church. She was married by a Justice of the Peace and is now legally divorced. Is it possible to be married in the Catholic Church without her having to get an annulment?
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your fiance is willing to get married in the Catholic Church. However, that is not possible unless she receives an annulment of her first marriage. If her first marriage was to a non-catholic, by the Justice of the Peace, then the church considers that a valid, legitimate marriage. Since the church would recognize her first marriage as valid, then the church would not allow your marriage to her to take place in the catholic church unless she were to receive a church annulment.
ReplyDeleteCan you explain to her how important it is for you that you have a catholic marriage? No matter how many negative things she has heard, and no matter how difficult it would be for her, if she knows how important it is for you, can she not make this sacrifice for you? If you can begin your new marriage with that much love and devotion and that amount of faith and trust, then think about what a wonderful beginning you would have.
Please tell her of our service and have her contact me at sandra@churchannulment.com and perhaps we can help her. With the right people working with her, it can be a real learning experience. It will help her to reflect upon what happened in her first marriage to bring it to an end, and she can re-discover her own personal and spiritual journey of faith. What a wonderful way to begin a new marriage.
I am currently going throught the RCIA process. I married my husband, a Catholic in a Methodist chruch. He was previouly married in a baptist church. I was told that i need to speak to the priest about annulling my husbands first marriage. - Why do I have to do that - shouldn't it be my husband and how does this affect me in the RCIa process?
ReplyDeleteCertainly, it is your husband that has to take care of his first marriage. Hopefully, it won't be too complicated. Since he was a catholic and he married outside the catholic church, then it can be declared invalid by documents. He would have to produce his baptismal certificate, his marriage and divorce papers from his first marriage. He should be able to go the priest in his parish or the parish where you are attending RCIA and have that taken care of. It affects you, however, because the church considers your marriage to him as a marriage that is not recognized by the church. He needs to get his marriage officially declared invalid, and then you need to have your marriage to him to take place in the catholic church. You would want to do this before being received, or at the same time, that you are received in the catholic church. The church may not allow you to be received in the catholic church until your marriage is recognized as valid in the catholic church. So - don't waste any more time - I would recomment that you two go together to your parish priest - with the necessary documents - and get it taken care of as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have a question. I was baptised as Methodist when I got married to another Methodist. It was just a civil ceremony. Soon after, I conver to being a Catholic and then got a divorce. Now, I had fallen in love with my fiance who is a Catholic and never married. We hope to get married in a Catholic Church. Will that still be possible? Was my first marriage still valid in Catholic Church and do I need a formal annulment?
Dear Geraldine,
ReplyDeleteFrom what you have said, it sounds like you would need a church annulment of your first marriage. I would suggest that you go talk to your parish priest who should be able to help you to obtain the proper application from your local tribunal office.
Dear Sandra,
ReplyDeleteBut then, isn't our marriage which was in a methodist church considered invalid since it is not in a catholic church? and for that, i will still need an annulment?
Dear Geraldine,
ReplyDeleteActually, your marriage that took place in the Methodist church with another Methodist is recognized as a valid marriage by the catholic church. The church recognizes other church wedding ceremonies as well as civil wedding ceremonies as valid. The exception is if you are a baptized catholic you are required, by catholic church law, to have permission from the church to marry outside the catholic church. So - for a Catholic, church law requires that a catholic party have a marriage that takes place in the catholic church. If a catholic were to marry in the Methodist or Lutheran or Presbyterian church etc. or marry in front of a Justice of the Peace it would NOT be recognized as valid, because a catholic is bound by the laws of the catholic church which requires a catholic priest or permission from the church if it doesn't take place in front of a catholic priest. So - let's say you were married in the Methodist Church and you married a baptized Catholic in that church. And, let's say that the Catholic party did not get permission from the Catholic Church to marry in the Methodist church - then, that would not be a valid marriage in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
At the time of your marriage you were not catholic - you were Methodist and you married a Methodist in a Methodist church - that is valid. Therefore, if you, in the future, want to marry a catholic, you would need an annulment of that marriage.
I am a Catholic who married a Methodist in a Catholic church ceremony. We divorced (but no annullment due to me not wanting to have any contact my very cruel ex) and many years later, my ex remarried a non-catholic and I remarried a Catholic in a garden wedding ceremony, with no involvement/sanction of the Catholic church. I was under the impression that I and my new husband would not be able to be members of the Catholic church and receive all the benefits of membership due to my divorce and non-annullment and our marriage, so we go to a non-denominational church for now. My question is: what would need to occur or what would I and my new husband need to do in order for us both to be members of the Catholic church with our marriage recognized as valid by the church? Many thanks, Cyndi
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if you would need a church annulment of your first marriage. I would call your local tribunal office in your diocese. If you e-mail me privately (sandra@churchannulment.com) I can find out where you are and can get the phone number for you. Or, you can go to the catholic church in your area and set up a meeting with the pastor to join the church. Tell him of your situation and he will lead you in the right direction. You certainly can still join the catholic church - you would just not be able to receive the Eucharist until your first marriage is annulled. Is your present marriage the first marriage for your husband? If so, he does not need to do anything - but, he also cannot receive the Eucharist because he is in a marriage that is not recognized as valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church. That is the reason you also cannot receive the Eucharist. But, the two of you can certainly join the church and be active members of that congregation. I hope that clarifies the situation for you. If not, please let me know.
ReplyDeleteHi, I was validly married in the Catholic Church to another Catholic. I had misgivings about going ahead with the marriage but did not want to upset my girlfriend. I even changed my mind about the engagement within hours but she wsa so upset i agreed. I planned to run away ( i know very immature behaviour).
ReplyDeleteWe now have two lovely kids and I wil not leave the marriage becasue of them. However, my wife refuses to have sex, uses a coil ( i wont risk an abortion so would not have sex if I could) and i have realised that she has taken us to the brink of bankruptcy with her secretive spending.I cannot face the prosepct of never having a loving relationship again, even though i accept such would have to await my children growing up. Do i possibly have grounds for annulment? How do i find out without actually going through a civil divorce first?
It certainly sounds like you have grounds for a church annulment. Grounds are based on the consent at the time of the marriage, and it sounds to me as if you had grave misgivings about getting married in the first place. You probably have other possible grounds as well - just from the little that you have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteBut, I would, if I were you, ask yourself, what is really beneficial for your children? I have often heard people say that they stay together for the sake of the children - and the question that I would ask is, are the childreh really benefiting from a loveless marriage? Children know and understand more than we give them credit for - and if there is a lot of tension and stress in the home, that is very unhealthy for a child. I would encourage some kind of family counseling - or certainly counseling for yourself - you are describing a very unhealthy and perhaps destructive relationship.
Hi I married a Catholic man at city hall.I have since divorced him.
ReplyDeleteI am greek orthodox and and would like to marry my finance in a Catholic church do I need a church annulment, I do not know where my ex is. There was no religious ceremony w the first marriage
Thanks
Cat
Dear Jessica,
ReplyDeleteSince you married a Catholic party outside the Catholic church, and it was never later blessed by the Catholic church, then the church does not recognize that as a valid marriage. You would not need a formal annulment. But your marriage would be declared invalid because of a lack of canonical form. I would approach the parish priest at the church where your fiance attends, and tell him your circumstances, and he will give you the proper papers to fill out.
My wife and I are strongly considering joining the Catholic Church. My current wife has never been married before. We have three sons. I have been married and divorced twice prior to my current marriage. My first marriage was prior to ever being baptised. My second marriage was to someone who had previously been married and divorced. In all cases no Catholics were involved. Neither my current wife or I have ever been Catholics. Is it possible for us to join the Catholic Church and receive Holy Communion? If so, what steps would we have to take?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is possible for you to join the Catholic church, but you need to straighten our your previous two marriages first. I would approach your pastor first - and tell him your situation. You will most likely need an annulment of your first marriage - and maybe your second as well - unless your second wife would cooperate with documents, proving that she was married previous to you. That means that your second marriage could be proved invalid because of the previous bond of your second wife. However, if she can't produce documents, then you would most likely have to file for an annulment of that marriage. so - you have a road ahead of you - but, begin with the first step - approach your pastor - if he is not approachable - find another parish because you need, at this time, someone who will listen and understand your situation. Search until you find that person.
ReplyDeleteMy husband was baptized and raised Catholic and was married to another Catholic several years ago in the Catholic church. They were divorced a short while later. I grew up in the Episcopal church. After my husband and I met, he decided to join the Episcoal Church and we were later married in the Episcopal church. He is considering going back to the Catholic Church and I am considering converting to Catholicism. Will my husband need to have his first marriage annuled? Since we were both Episcopalians at the time of our marriage, will it be recognized by the church? How will his prior marriage affect my ability to join the Church and receive holy communion should an annulment not be granted (if needed)?
ReplyDeleteYour husband's first marriage would be considered valid in the eyes of the Catholic church. He would therefore need to apply for a church annulment through the Catholic church. Your marriage to him would not be recognized as valid until or unless an annulment is granted of your husband's first marriage, and then you can have a catholic wedding ceremony. At this point I would find a Catholic church and talk to a pastor who will agree to listen to your story - join a convert class and begin to study the beliefs and the spirituality of the faith community of the Catholic church. You would not be able to be received into the church until or unless your husband's first marriage is rectified. I would encourage you to begin the process - and take one step at a time.
ReplyDeleteI am a Catholic man and I was married in a courthousedue to leaving on military deployment. When I returned and before we could have a proper church wedding I discovered she had been unfaithful and we divorced. Does the church recognize my previous marriage and can I remarry in the Catholic church?
ReplyDeleteThe church does not recognize that marriage as valid since it did not take place in the Catholic Church. You can marry in the Catholic church. You would need to go to your parish priest and present three documents - your baptismal certificate (to prove that you were a baptized catholic at the time of your civil wedding ceremony) also your marriage certificate, and your divorce papers. Once you present those documents, your parish priest can submit them to your local tribunal. Your marriage then can be declared invalid due to a lack of canonical form (meaning it did not take place in the catholic church).
ReplyDeleteI am a baptized Catholic just recently divorced. My ex-wife was not baptized, and we got married in a chapel with a minister and did not get dispensation. Can I now complete a petition for lack of cannonical form or since she was not baptized at the time of the wedding do I have to petition for Favor of the Faith. Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteI have a complex couple of issues and questions, if you'd be so kind as to answer.
ReplyDeleteI just recently became Catholic, through RCIA, last Easter (2009). My husband is a cradle Catholic but never attends Mass except for Christmas Mass every couple years at his Mother's demand. He always refuses Communion, even at my Confirmation.
Here are the issues:
1) I found out just after our civil wedding that he had a child from a previous relationship (illigetimate) and had never paid support. He now has a payroll deduction taken through court order for arrears. He has no relationship with his daughter and refuses to try to create one. He told me before our wedding and until about 4 months after that he wanted a family with me. Since then, he has 'refused' to get me pregnant and even asked me to take birth control pills. I want a family but he tells me "we can't afford a kid!"
2) I recently found, through his credit report which I had to help him figure out, that he lived in Michigan for some time. While trying to also help him with some of the child support issues I did a court record search in that county and found a divorce in his name. After a little more searching, I have the divorce decree now in my possession. He denies he was ever married before, yet I have the court document showing not one but two previous marriages! I know he never had them annuled through the Church, only civil divorce and possibly a civil annulment - both while he was in the military and far from his family. No one in his family knows about these events.
3) We were married civil ceremony only, with no dispensation from the Church and he refuses to have the marriage blessed and recognized by the Church (possibly for the lack of previous marraige annulments?)
4) I was married previous to this marriage. My first husband and I married when I was in my early 20s and he was 30 (his 2nd marriage). Neither of us were Catholics, but I had been baptized while he was not ever (to my knowledge). I learned after time he was quite abusive, a drug user and alcoholic so we divorced.
For issues 1, 2, and 3 - Is my marriage "legal" in the eyes of the Church? Will I need an annulment? I am planning on seeking a divorce. He refuses marriage counseling so there is little hope to reconcile the marriage at this point. I've discussed this with my parish priest already but need more information.
For issue 4 - Do I need an annulment for this first marriage?
If I were to later want to marry in the Church, I need these issues clarified. Thank you!
If I understand correctly – your first marriage would be valid, if neither one was catholic at the time of your marriage and if it was the first marriage for both of you. However, since it was your husband’s second marriage you may be able to have it annulled by proving that your husband had been previously married. This can be done by documents and is really not an annulment, but you would possibly need his cooperation in order to obtain the documents proving his first marriage. If you cannot obtain those documents you would need to have the marriage annuled, and go through the formal annulment process.
ReplyDeleteYour second marriage would be invalid because, even though your husband was a cradle catholic, if he was baptized catholic at the time of your marriage, then he was still bound by the laws of the Catholic Church. His marriage did not take place in the Catholic Church for obvious reasons. Therefore, it is not recognized as valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church. You would need to prove that by making sure that you can obtain his baptismal certificate in order to prove that he was baptized catholic at the time of his marriage to you.
Hopefully your parish priest can help you to file your papers at the tribunal. If not, see if you can call your local tribunal directly and meet with someone at the tribunal who knows canon law and can help you to sort all of this out. Sometimes issues like yours can even be complicated for parish priests. If you need further help contact us at sandra@churchannulmentcom and we can help you to present your case to the tribunal.
In answer to Rbailey - you do not need to apply for a Favor of the Faith - your marriage was never recognized as valid if you were baptized catholic at the time of the marriage, and if it was never blessed by the catholic church. You would need to apply for invalidity due to a lack of canonical form
ReplyDeleteI was baptised a Roman Catholic on Jan 2, 1955. I was a devout Catholic until my mid-teens. I've been away from the Catholic Church. I went to confession on Jan 8th 2010 for the first time since 1979. Today I went to Mass and received communion.
ReplyDelete1. I married a woman at a courthouse in 1979 with no church ceremony and legally divorced her in 1988. No children. [I cannot locate her nor do I no if she is still living.]
2. I married my wife, a Methodist in a Methodist Church in 1992. I did not become a Methodist. (She was also a divorcee in a civil marriage prior.) [Her ex lives 80 miles away.]
I want to have our marriage blessed in the Catholic Church and to attrach her to become a Catholic one day.
What does our situation look like in regard to your experience.
Who of us can or can't receive communion and when? We are in the Archdiocese of New York.
Thank you for your response and blessed experience.
1. I married a woman at a courthouse in 1979 with no church ceremony and legally divorced her in 1988. No children. [I cannot locate her nor do I no if she is still living.]
ReplyDeleteYou need to take care of this marriage. It is not considered a valid marriage in the Catholic Church because you were a baptized catholic at the time of this marriage and there was no catholic ceremony. However, you would need to approach your local tribunal and submit the information regarding this marriage. You would need to present your baptismal certificate (to prove that you were a baptized catholic at the time of the marriage) as well as your marriage certificate and your divorce papers. This can then be declared invalid by the tribunal because of a lack of canonical form. They would present you with a decree stating that fact .
2. I married my wife, a Methodist in a Methodist Church in 1992. I did not become a Methodist. (She was also a divorcee in a civil marriage prior.) [Her ex lives 80 miles away.]
Your present wife may need a church annulment of her first marriage. Even though it was a civil marriage - as long as her first husband was not a baptized catholic, and since she was not a catholic, then the church recognizes it as a valid, legitimate marriage. She would need this marriage annulled before she could marry you in the Catholic Church. If her first husband was catholic, and it did not take place in the Catholic Church, then she would not need a church annulment. But she would have to approach the tribunal with the proper documents which is required for a lack of canonical form decree.
I want to have our marriage blessed in the Catholic Church and to attract her to become a Catholic one day.
What does our situation look like in regard to your experience?
Both of you need to rectify your first marriages before you can be married in the Catholic Church. Since the Catholic Church would consider your living arrangement now as one that is not recognized as valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church, it is not proper for you to receive the Eucharist until both of your situations are taken care of. Even though your present wife is not a catholic she needs to rectify her situation in order for her to marry a catholic.
The best thing for you to do is to go to your local parish priest or your local tribunal directly and explain your situation. Your priest, and/or your tribunal should be able to lead you through the process.
If your present wife needs help in working on her case, please remember that we can help her prepare her case and we can let her know where to file for her case.
If any other questions please let us know. This is not going to be easy I am sure. It sounds like a lot of work - but honestly find someone who knows what they are doing. And, be sure that you continually follow up with your case, either by letter or phone call.
I hope that you are able to answer my question concerning my situation.
ReplyDeleteI am getting a divorce. 2 children, teen & a tween (who are completely, 100% aware of what is going on). Non catholic, married to another non catholic. It was a DOC church wedding, officiated by the pastor of that church. Though we were attending the church, I am not aware of any baptism on my part (unless it was done very, very young - family said we went to a Methodist church before death in family caused us to move when I was only a few years old). Husband was baptized in that church when he was still a youth.
I am considering - most seriously, I assure you - converting. I want the possibility of remarriage to be open.
I understand the need for the classes (RICA, I believe it was called). I am willing to do so. But how does the decree of nullity fit in with my situation? When I approach the priest of my neighborhood Catholic church - which is where I'd attend - I want to make sure I am "armed and ready" so to speak.
Dear Chris, the priest will encourage you to apply for a church annulment of your previous marriage. Your previous marriage is recognized as valid in the eyes of the catholic church, so that would be necessary. Since you are not presently in any other relationship (living with someone or in another civil marriage) there would be no reason that you would need the annulment before you would be able to be brought into the church. However, it would be encouraged that you would begin the process as soon as you are able. If this is unclear or you have more questions don't hesitate to let me know. Sr. Sandra
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWell, here are the facts, I'm a Catholic, never been married. I want to marry a man that has been married twice yet never been baptized. The first marriage was through a Presb. church, and the second was done in Vegas. The first wife wasn't open to having children and is currently married to a Catholic but refuses to help us by filling out the annulment paperwork...What options do we have?..We want to have this union blessed by the church, but feel very helpless at this point..Any advice is greatly appreciated..
God Bless...LM
hi.. my fiance and I want to get married in a catholic church. he was civilly married before in the Philippines but got divorced here in the US few years back. Does he still need to undergo annulment in order to get married in the catholic church?
ReplyDeletei am not catholic, but am looking into starting RCIA here in the near future.
ReplyDeletei have been divorced twice, the 1st time i was 19, and it was at the justice of the peace, and the second when i was 27 also at the justice of the peace. both marriages were to non-catholics. i would like to one day marry a catholic in the church with the proper ceremony. will i need an annulment for both of them? what happens if i cant recieve an annulment? it is very important to me to be able to be married in the church, and to have the importance of this in my last (and trust me final) marriage. what should i do??
I would encourage you to go talk to your parish priest. If you do not belong to any Catholic church at the present time I would encourage you also to join a church in the area where you live, or a place that you feel at home. The parish priest would be able to help your fiance to fill out the proper forms for the tribunal to investigate his prior marriages. He may need two formal annulments, or it is possible also for him to apply for a Petrine privilege - which is a dissolution of the marriage if one of the parties was non-baptized. However, certain requirements have to be in place for this dissolution to occur and that is why your fiance needs to first go to the parish priest who will give him all of the proper forms to fill out.
ReplyDeleteEven if his former spouse does not want to cooperate, he can still apply for an investigation into the validity or invalidity of his marriage to her. The main requirement is that he supply an address where the tribunal can contact her and give her an opportunity to reply.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
A has asked the following question:
ReplyDeletehi.. my fiance and I want to get married in a catholic church. he was civilly married before in the Philippines but got divorced here in the US few years back. Does he still need to undergo annulment in order to get married in the catholic church?
Dear A,
You do not tell me if your fiance is catholic or not. That would make a difference in your situation. We would need to go to your parish priest and bring with him his marriage and divorce papers, along with baptismal certificate (if he is catholic). He would not need a formal annulment if he was catholic and that marriage did not take place in the catholic church. However, he would still need to file some forms from his church and the pastor would explain to him what he needs to do.
Wendy says:
ReplyDeletei am not catholic, but am looking into starting RCIA here in the near future.
i have been divorced twice, the 1st time i was 19, and it was at the justice of the peace, and the second when i was 27 also at the justice of the peace. both marriages were to non-catholics. i would like to one day marry a catholic in the church with the proper ceremony. will i need an annulment for both of them? what happens if i cant recieve an annulment? it is very important to me to be able to be married in the church, and to have the importance of this in my last (and trust me final) marriage. what should i do??
Dear Wendy,
From the information that you gave me, it sounds like you would need a formal annulment of both marriages. If you are going into RCIA in a parish it would be important for you to tell your RCIA director about your previous marriage and he/she can direct you or give you the proper papers to fill out. Don't go down the path yet of "what if" - God will lead and guide you - just take one step at a time, and the rest of the journey you will be guided and helped along the way. God bless.
Here is my question. I am a life long Christian but not a Catholic. My ex wife and I were married for 33 years but not in a church. She also was not a Catholic. The last 12 years of my marriage my wife slept in a different room and we did not have Sexual relations during that time. We separated totally and then were divorced. I now would like to marry a Catholic widow with two young children. What is my chance of getting a annulment? It will be heard to get witness's to state we slept in separate rooms
ReplyDeleteI have a question.......My fiance has been divorced for 4 years. They were married in the Catholic church and are now, 6 months, into the annulment process. Are we allowed to meet with the priest and set the date without the official annulment papers. The Diocese says the annulment takes 10-12 months.
ReplyDeleteDear Kerry,
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question - probably not. Some tribunals have you sign a form before your case is petitioned that stated that you will not set a date before the annulment process is complete. The reason of course is that by setting a date you are presuming that the annulment will be granted. That of course, cannot be guaranteed. If something were to happen and the annulment is not granted - and you have the reception, the hall, etc. all planned and then find out that you cannot marry in the church - you would find yourself in a terrible predicament. Sometimes you may find a priest who will tentatively pencil in a date for you - but still you are taking your chances and you may find yourself in a great stressful state if the annulment is not granted and it comes close to the wedding date. so - for all involved I would not recommend it at all. There is enough stress involved with a wedding besides adding this additional one.
Ricky D. said...
ReplyDeleteHere is my question. I am a life long Christian but not a Catholic. My ex wife and I were married for 33 years but not in a church. She also was not a Catholic. The last 12 years of my marriage my wife slept in a different room and we did not have Sexual relations during that time. We separated totally and then were divorced. I now would like to marry a Catholic widow with two young children. What is my chance of getting a annulment? It will be heard to get witness's to state we slept in separate rooms.
Dear Ricky d,
Sleeping in different rooms is not grounds for a church annulment. You need to talk to a parish priest of the woman you would like to marry and he will have you fill out the proper forms to see if there are grounds for a church annulment - the sleeping in different rooms, as I said is not grounds - but the reason you sleep in separate rooms certainly may indicate problems that might indicate grounds.
I hope you can help me. Thank you in advance
ReplyDeleteI married a man in 1992 who was catholic and previously married in the church. He was divorced in 1988.
I am a cradle catholic, and married him in a civil ceremony. We had one child and divorced in 1994. He was an extremely violent man, which I should have picked up on before we married. Anyway....
I married a wonderful Protestant man in 2002. We had another child, both of whom have been raIsed within the church. I do not take communion, because of my divorce and remarriage and it is killing me. I feel filthy every time I walk into a church. Is there any way for me to get right with the church again?
My fiance and I want to get married in the catholic church, however he was married by church many years ago. He is starting the process of getting the marriage annulled. When he got divorced he talked to the deacon that had married him and asked him if he was able to marry again in the catholic church. He said yes and that there was nothing he had to fill out. The marriage is on file at the church. My question is how was he able to get married if he was never asked to present his baptism certificate or even asked where he was baptised?
ReplyDeleteI am not completely sure that I follow your question. I think you are asking about the time that your fiance was first married - is that correct? He should have had to produce his baptismal certificate at the time of his marriage preparation. If he were baptized in a non-catholic church they often do not keep records and it may have been difficult to produce. If it were a catholic church it would be highly unusual not to have had to produce his baptismal certificate.
ReplyDeletesillystudent said...
ReplyDeleteI hope you can help me. Thank you in advance
I married a man in 1992 who was catholic and previously married in the church. He was divorced in 1988.
I am a cradle catholic, and married him in a civil ceremony. We had one child and divorced in 1994. He was an extremely violent man, which I should have picked up on before we married. Anyway....
I married a wonderful Protestant man in 2002. We had another child, both of whom have been raIsed within the church. I do not take communion, because of my divorce and remarriage and it is killing me. I feel filthy every time I walk into a church. Is there any way for me to get right with the church again?
Sr. Sandra said:
If you were baptized Catholic (even if you were a cradle catholic) at the time of your first marriage - and you were not married in the catholic church, only in a civil ceremony. Then, all you need to do is to go to your local parish, bring with you your baptismal certificate (call the church where you were baptized and they can send you a recent copy), bring also your marriage certificate and your divorce papers - your marriage can be declared invalid because it was never formally considered valid in the eyes of the church - it would simply be a documentary process which is not a problem. If your present husband was not married before you - then, the two of you should be able to get married in the catholic church. Please don't delay this because it will, most likely, bring you a great deal of peace of mind - and, know that God does not consider you "filthy" - you are God's child - God cares and loves you very much.
I have been catholic all my life, never maarried, and I am engaged to be married to a non-catholic. He has been married before in a civil ceramony in Las veage 3 years ago, but is now divorced. We are interested in getting married in a catholic church. What will he need to do in ordre for us to be married in the catholic church?
ReplyDeleteDear gatorgirl,
ReplyDeleteIf the person you are engaged to was married before in a civil ceremony - and, if the person he married was not a Catholic, and he is not a catholic, then, that marriage is presumed valid in the eyes of the catholic church. He would need to apply for a Catholic church annulment. I would suggest that you go talk to your parish priest - have your fiance go with you - and have him bring his marriage certificate and divorce papers with him. The priest will then advise him as to what to do.
Sr. Sandra
Can you clarify what it means to have a marriage considered "invalid" in the eyes of the Church? I am a recent convert to Catholosism and wish to marry a Catholic. I was married before in a civil ceremony but neither of us was Catholic. A Sister at church mentioned she didn't think I needed a full anullment, just some quick paperwork due to the fact that I was not Catholic at the time of the first marriage. Is this correct? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThe word validity itself means "legal efficacy." Laws affecting the validity of a legal act must be observed for the act to be juridically recognized as effective. For example; for certain sacraments to take "effect' - in other words, for it to be a sacrament certain requirements are necessary. Those requirements are written in church law and it is in church law that explains what is necessary for the act to actually take effect. for example: for baptism to be "valid' or "take effect" the proper water and words are necessary. If water is used and someone doesn't say the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit" - instead they sing a song or say nothing - then - that is not considered "valid" baptism. In other words a Catholic baptism did not happen, it did not take "effect", or it was invalid.
ReplyDeleteIt is the same with Marriage - there are certain requirements necessary for the marriage to be "valid" - or to take "effect" - if those requirements are not met, then the marriage is considered invalid.
If you were not a catholic, and you married a non-catholic, in a civil ceremony - and, if it were the first marriage for both of you - then, that is considered a 'valid' marriage in the eyes of the catholic church. You would need to file for a Catholic church annulment if you want to be married to a Catholic in the future.
Hope this clarifies things for you.
Sr. Sandra
Can I get an annulment if I divorced a women who was previously married to her first husband by a justice of the peace, both were baptized Christians before they married. I have not remarried.
ReplyDeleteDear Steven,
ReplyDeleteYes, you can. You may be able to have your marriage annulled on the grounds that your former spouse was already married, which would have made your marriage to her invalid to begin with. However, you would need her cooperation in order to prove this, since you would need the documents of her previous marriage. If it is not possible to prove the legitimacy of her previous marriage, then you would need to file for a formal annulment of your marriage to her on other grounds. Please discuss this with your parish priest.
Dear Sr. Sandra, church lawyer...
ReplyDeleteI was married in a church in the Philippines. I am now a permanent resident (not a citizen) here in the US, while the respondent is in the Philippines. I am awaiting my divorce decree here in the US, and also plan to file for church annulment, when my divorce gets granted. Will I need to file the annulment petition in the Philippines or can I do it here on my local parish? Thank you in advance for you answers...
You can apply for an annulment in the diocese where your ex-husband lives (Philippines), or, you can apply in the diocese where you were married (Philippines) - or, you can apply in the diocese where you live - provided that your ex-husband lives in the same episcopal conference (which he does not because the Philippines is a different episcopal conference than the United States). The last option would be that a case can be processed where "most of the proofs are gathered" - in other words where most of the witnesses live. (so - there would be a possibility to process it where you live, if your family members and/or your ex-spouses family members live where you live as well. although, this may be a remote possibility. It sounds like the Philippines might be where you have to go. I would contact your local tribunal, tell them your situation and they can tell you how and where to process your case.
ReplyDeleteMy situation is similar to presslord. I am a baptized catholic and was married in a Catholic church in my early 20's, then divorced and had the marriage anulled. I was then married again in my late 20's, but to a non-Catholic in a civil ceremony in Las Vegas. Do I need to get that 2nd marriage anulled as well before I can get remarried for the final time?
ReplyDeleteSince you are a baptized Catholic, and your second marriage did not take place in the Catholic church - then you do not need an annulment of that marriage - it can be declared invalid because it lacked the proper canonical form. You would need to go to your parish priest or your tribunal with your baptismal certificate, your marriage certificate and your divorce papers. It is a documentary process, not a formal annulment process and can be declared invalid by the proof of the documents.
ReplyDeleteHi, I had my civil marriage in 2001 to a non-christian and had done ANNULMENT later. I was told by my lawyer that the marriage will become invalid/void as it is annulment and not a divorce. However, during the preparation of marriage, my fiance informed the church abt it and was told that I may need to go through the annulment process in the church. I am so confused and worried as we have planned our wedding in august. Please advise if I really need to go through the annulment process in the Catholic church? My fiance is a catholic and i am a baptised christian (non-catholic)and undergoing the process of becoming a catholic now. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA Civil Annulment is different from a church annulment. A Civil annulment annuls the marriage in the eyes of the civil courts, but not in the eyes of the church court. That is what a church annulment is. You need to apply for a church annulment. I would go back to your parish priest or call your diocesan tribunal directly to begin the process.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your feedback. The fact that I had a civil marriage with a non-christian without a church ceremony is still considered valid ? I read that the annulment process requires both party to be present. I doubt he would cooperate in this as he is a non-christian and church annulment would be meaningless to him. Also, I have not been in contact with him for many years now.. What if we are unable to locate him? Would that make the process longer?
ReplyDeleteDear Cindy,
ReplyDeletethe annulment process does not require both parties to be present. It simply requires that the petitioner do all that he/she can do to locate the respondent - because, under church law, the tribunal has to prove that it did all it could to try to locate the respondent and give him/her an opportunity to respond. The respond does not have to respond, or cooperate in order for an annulment to be processed. There is a website called www.consentmakesmarriage.com and in that website there is a page called "ways to locate your ex-spouse' - if you check that page, run it off, and keep it with your papers that you would eventually send in to the tribunal, and check the ways on it that you tried to find your ex-pouse - write it up, and send both papers in along with your marital history, that should be sufficient. That would prove that you did all you could to find your ex-spouse, and then the tribunal can issue a decree stating that he is declared 'unlocatable'. However, this may also influence where you can apply for an annulment. You always can apply in the diocese where your marriage took place. You can also apply in the diocese where you live, provided that the diocese where your ex-spouse gives consent. If you do not know where your ex-spouse lives, then your diocese may not allow you to process your case there unless that was also the diocese where you were married. So - if you were married in a different diocese from where you live, you may want to go first to the diocese where you were married.
Also, you would not be able to apply for a Petrine privilege unless your ex-pouse cooperated and was willing to testify that he was never baptized - and that case would have to go to Rome - so, that option is not a good one for you.
If any other particular questions please contact me at sandra@churchannulment.com and I can help you further.
I am a Catholic that has never been married before. My fiance is a non-catholic who was married previously. He has already begun the annulment process, but in filling out the tribunal forms we discovered his ex-wife was never baptized. I have heard that non-baptisim can have an affect on an annulment. Is this true?
ReplyDeleteI am baptized catholic and recently engaged to a catholic. I have been married twice before (young and silly) but neither of them were done in a church, we were just married by a justice of the peace. My current fiance has never been married. We both would like to get married in the the Catholic church, will I need to get the previous marriages annuled? I have heard so many different stories on this. Please help thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteNo - it really has no effect on an annulment. A case can be processed as a Petrine Privilege when one person is baptized and the other is non baptized. However, these cases go to Rome for a dissolution by the Pope. It is simpler to file for a formal annulment rather than a Petrine Privilege. It is difficult with a Petrine Privilege if the other party does not cooperate.
ReplyDeleteIn response to TISHA_PHILLIPS:
ReplyDeleteIf you were a baptized Catholic at the time of your two marriages, and neither of those marriage took place in the Catholic Church, and neither marriages were later convalidated or blessed by the Catholic church, then you would not need any formal annulments. You would need however, to go to your parish priest and present your baptismal certificate, your marriage papers, and your divorce papers - and then, in a documentary process at your parish or your local tribunal, they can give you a declaration of nullity of those two marriages, based on the fact that they lacked the proper canonical form. This can be proved by the documents that you present. You would need a recent copy of your baptismal certificate (within the last six months) which you can obtain by calling your church of baptism.
(I'm not sure if this has already been covered...sorry if it has!) I am non-catholic going through a lengthy divorce. I have met a devout Roman Catholic whom I hope to marry. My ex was baptized Catholic, however I have absolutely no way of getting the birth certificate, and I suspect she will not participate in the annulment process. Is there a way to obtain such information to show that her baptismal mandates our wedding be held within the church (or outside of the church with permission that we didn't have)???
ReplyDeleteAfter an annulment is granted, do you still have to wait 12 months to marry in the church? Or do you not have to wait the full 12 months, since you have already been engaged much longer than that?
ReplyDeleteDear Kristin,
ReplyDeleteI am not sure as to what you are referring to. There could be some kind of diocesan policy that pertains to your question. Otherwise there should be no restriction, unless there was a restriction placed on your annulment decree - requiring counseling etc. Most places require you to be a registered member of the church for a period of time before planning a wedding - but you would have to check with your local parish as to any other requirements regarding time-line.
My wife (a non-catholic) is about to file for divorce in NY state, she is open to participating in an annulment petition. My question is, does who is declared at fault in the civil divorce have bearing on determining if an annulment will be granted? In New York State, until the no fault divorce laws are passed some one must be declared at fault when filing for divorce. She has chosen to file declaring that I sexually abandoned her, which she even says is a lie. There is an option legally separate for a year and then the divorce will be finalized with no one at fault, but she does not want to do this. And since I am in no financial position to contest the divorce, I will probably have to agree to this, or file myself and make a similar lie. Everyone in the civil courts say that this is simply the way it is, but I would like to know what if any effect it will have my chances of seeking an annulment.
ReplyDeleteDear Nick,
ReplyDeleteNo - the grounds used for divorce, or who filed for the divorce and against whom, has no bearing on the church annulment. Remember, that grounds for a church annulment are basically based on the consent at the time the couple were married - and therefore, what happens in the marriage is not what constitutes grounds for a church annulment. so - who is at fault and what is written on the divorce papers will not determine the outcome of the annulment process.
"Remember, that grounds for a church annulment are basically based on the consent at the time the couple were married." You said this previously Sr. Sandra. My question goes to: I am catholic. My former spouse was not. I consented completely..I feel I gave my all. He ended the marriage. My petition..is in process. The witness testimony has been gathered. I recently went for a meeting with a judge who asked many more questions of me..my life and why I did some of the things I did in my life and my marriage. He literally.. was unfaithful, ran out and divorced me. NO discussion whatsoever. Yet the judge tells me..this has no bearing on my petition request, that as I am the catholic, it shall be based on my stance at the time of the marriage. So I am aware, that I gave completely, I did not want it to end, but it did. I have already indicated this but it is over now. Does this mean, that my petition may not be granted because I "consented completely?"
ReplyDeleteMore: You have a right to ask the Judge what the grounds are in your case. You also have a right to ask the same question of your advocate who should have been assigned to you. If you knew what the grounds were then that would determine the line of questioning that is coming from the Judge. Just because you are the Catholic party does not mean that your consent is the only one that is being judged. It takes two true consents to make a marriage – not just the catholic party.
ReplyDeleteActions, as we know, speak louder than words. Certainly, if your former spouse’s actions caused the breakup of the marriage, then the same kinds of questions the Judge asked about you should have also been asked about your former spouse. Many times the behavior during the marriage can be traced back to a problem even before the marriage and at the time of consent. Obviously, your former spouse had some problems or what happened would not have happened. But, the Judge or advocate should explain to you why that line of questioning was not pursued.
Since I don’t know the rest of the circumstances regarding your case, it is hard to comment further. But, these are the kinds of questions that you have a right to ask and a right to have answered.
If you get no satisfaction from calling and talking to your advocate please feel free to contact me at sandra@churchannulment.com and I can see if I can help you further.
Sr. Sandra
hi-
ReplyDeletei am currently eight months in to a petion for a annulment from a brief (6 year) marriage over thirty years ago. though the witnesses have responded timely and all the paperwork seems to be in order (my ex did not respond), i have been told there is a three month wait for a psychological evaluation. i am frustrated at best. i am not trying to schedule a wedding but would love to close this chapter. is this common? thank you for your help!
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI was married in 2004 in Las Vegas at a Chapel. I am Catholic, but my ex-husband was not. We did not get married in a Catholic church or a Catholic ceremony. I just got engaged last night and both my fiance and I are Catholic. We would like to get married in his Catholic church. From what I have been reading, I do not believe that I need to get an annulment, but I do need to speak to the priest...is this right?
Thank you!
Nat
That is correct, Nat. You do not need a formal annulment case.
ReplyDeleteYou should make an appointment with your parish priest and bring with you copies of your marriage license, divorce decree and baptismal certificate.
He will then be able to process the necessary paperwork to indicate you are free to marry in the church.
God bless… Sister Sandra
My husband and I are both baptized Protestants. He was previously married to a protestant but divorced, no kids. We were married in a protestant church. I want to join the Catholic Church. Does HIS previous non-catholic marriage keep me from converting to the Catholic faith? He has no desire to become Catholic. I have had many different opinions and don't know what the truth is, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYes. You are correct. Your present husband will need to have his first marriage annulled by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church recognizes as valid – in its own law – marriages that take place in other religions.
ReplyDeleteBut take heart, every Catholic tribunal in the country deals with marriages of non-Catholics. If/when his first marriage is declared null, you would then be free to enter into the Catholic Church.
I suggest speaking with your local parish priest about your husband's first marriage and your desire to become a Catholic.
In Regard to the comment by booboobus513 on October 7 ....
ReplyDeleteIt is not "uncommon" for a tribunal to ask a party to see one of their court counselors. This often happens in marriages of long duration, or, weddings that took place a long time ago. If your case has been in process for eight months and they are requesting this consult at this time I would render the guess that things are moving along as they should with your case.
I completely understand your frustration with the time element. However the tribunal is restricted on the time element for each case given the number of personnel in the tribunal, as well as their caseload. Church law states that "on average" an annulment application should be processed within one year, and the appeal phase of that application within six months.
Hang in there … Sister Sandra