Annulment Before Convalidation?

[ValleyCatholic]

In my return to my Catholic Faith, I have taken great steps to ensure I am in line with the ideals. I am married to a woman who is Church of Christ and we are planning on having our marriage convalidated so that I may partake of the Eucharist. However, I was previously married years ago to a Baptist [in a baptist ceremony without permission from the Catholic Church]. My parish priest is aware of this but has no issue. Should I have my marriage annulled before it can be convalidated?

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Catholics are required to be married in the Catholic Church or receive a dispensation from the Bishop to be married elsewhere. Even if someone is a non-practicing Catholic they are still under this requirement.
Therefore your marriage in the Baptist ceremony without the proper dispensation is invalid. There is a process that your parish priest should follow that would lead to the diocese issuing an official decree of nullity for that marriage. It is simply a paperwork matter that establishes the facts that prove the marriage to be invalid. Its a process that should be followed, however, even if a priest doesn’t follow it the upcoming validation of your current marriage would be unaffected.