Annulment/Dissolution for Convert

[mikemc]

I am a non-Catholic interested in conversion and have a question regarding annulment/dissolution. I’ve searched the archives but haven’t found a comparable case. Before starting, let me apologize for the dry presentation of what follows. Although I am deeply shameful of what I did in the past, I have tried to keep my presentation as clinical as possible, focusing on the issues involved.

Eleven years ago, I married. I was an unbaptized agnostic. Before, during, and after the marriage, I was an alcoholic, drinking to blackout at least twice per week. In addition, I was heavily into abusing pornography. I believe my wife had been baptized but am unsure of the Protestant denomination. A Baptist preacher we had met two weeks before the wedding performed the ceremony. He allowed me to assemble the vows – I assembled them from a mixture of secular and Protestant writings.

After one year of marriage, I began to have an affair. During the course of this affair, I increased my drinking and abuse of pornography. After several months, I asked for and was given a divorce. There were no children of this marriage.

If I were to become Catholic, would it be possible for me to be granted an annulment or dissolution of this marriage?

Thank you,

mikemc

 

[Cherub]

Your marriage, from the description you provided, was not sacramental. Contact the marriage tribunal in your diocese and find out how (and when) to proceed with your annulment.

 

[pnewton]

You do not need an annulment to join the Church if you are not remarried. If you are married, or later wish to marry than yes, you would need an annulment. Of course it is possible to be granted and annulment, if the tribunal rules that the marriage was not sacramental. With so many possible details to work consider, you might also discuss the specifics with a parish priest. They are usually pretty savvy and have heard it all.

Good luck and God bless.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

mikemc:

I am a non-Catholic interested in conversion and have a question regarding annulment/dissolution. I’ve searched the archives but haven’t found a comparable case. Before starting, let me apologize for the dry presentation of what follows. Although I am deeply shameful of what I did in the past, I have tried to keep my presentation as clinical as possible, focusing on the issues involved.

Eleven years ago, I married. I was an unbaptized agnostic. Before, during, and after the marriage, I was an alcoholic, drinking to blackout at least twice per week. In addition, I was heavily into abusing pornography. I believe my wife had been baptized but am unsure of the Protestant denomination. A Baptist preacher we had met two weeks before the wedding performed the ceremony. He allowed me to assemble the vows – I assembled them from a mixture of secular and Protestant writings.

After one year of marriage, I began to have an affair. During the course of this affair, I increased my drinking and abuse of pornography. After several months, I asked for and was given a divorce. There were no children of this marriage.

If I were to become Catholic, would it be possible for me to be granted an annulment or dissolution of this marriage?

Thank you,

mikemc

You make no mention of two important points. 1. were you ever Baptized? 2. Are you Married again? ( is that person Baptized?)

If you are presently not Baptized. You will become “A new creature in Christ” with your Baptism and all before will be gone!

If you are Married again to a Baptized person and you wish to receive Baptism. Then there could be a dissolution of the non-Sacramental natural marriage in favor of the Sacramental Marriage.

 

[mikemc]

Br. Rich SFO:

You make no mention of two important points. 1. were you ever Baptized? 2. Are you Married again? ( is that person Baptized?)

If you are presently not Baptized. You will become “A new creature in Christ” with your Baptism and all before will be gone!

I have still not been baptized.
Br. Rich SFO:

If you are Married again to a Baptized person and you wish to receive Baptism. Then there could be a dissolution of the non-Sacramental natural marriage in favor of the Sacramental Marriage.

I am currently married to a woman who was raised and baptized Mormon. We were married by a Justice of the Peace. I have read elsewhere that Mormon baptism is not recognized by the Catholic Church.

Thank you all for your information and help.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

mikemc:

I have still not been baptized.

I am currently married to a woman who was raised and baptized Mormon. We were married by a Justice of the Peace. I have read elsewhere that Mormon baptism is not recognized by the Catholic Church.

Thank you all for your information and help.

You are correct Morman Baptism is not accepted as Christian Baptism. The privilege I’m thinking of allows an UnBaptized person to leave an UnBaptized spouse who refuses Baptism. They then receive Baptism and enter into a Sacramental Marriage with another Baptized Christian.

This would not apply even though you are seeking Baptism. You are not be seeking a Sacramental Marriage with a Baptized Christian. You are only seeking to enter another natural marriage. You can’t abandon one natural marriage for another natural marriage.

 

[puzzleannie]

repeat of several prior posts on similar topics, as RCIA director the first thing I learned is that every marriage situation is unique. Nobody on this forum can answer your question because there are too many details which you cannot and should not discuss here. The proper procedure is to contact the marriage tribunal of your diocese. This should be done through the deacon or pastor in charge of RCIA and marriage in your prospective parish, and you should get the ball rolling before you start RCIA formation. bottom line is the Catholic Church considers every marriage valid until proven otherwise. Consent makes the marriage and no earthly power, person or agency can revoke or cancel this consent. The marriage tribunal investigates all facts of the marriage and the condition of the parties at the time of the marriage to determine whether consent existed or was possible. If it determines consent was not possible or did not happen, then the church issues a decree of nullity, a legal judgement that the marriage never happened. If that is the case, there is no barrier to your future marriage. If you are divorced, and currently unmarried there is no reason you cannot proceed with RCIA and prepare for baptism (which removes all sins, original sin and actual sin). However should you ever wish to marry again, you will need to go through the annulment process, so why not start now.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Mike,

Based upon what you have posted you will need to submit the first marriage to the tribunal for evaluation prior to your coming into Church. From what you have posted it appears that you have grounds for an annulment. What happened after the marriage is not terribly relevant other than it reflecting your mind set. If this marriage is annuled then your present marriage may be made valid through a process called “convalidation.”

As puzzeledannie has said, you need to address this with a priest or deacon in your diocese who is familiar with the canons related to marriage.

Deacon Ed

 

[mikemc]

Thank you all for your thoughtful answers, especially in stressing the particularized nature of each annulment procedure. I’ve contacted a priest from the diocese where I would begin RCIA.

Once again, thank you.