Another Matrimony Question

[spectre88]

My cousin was baptized Catholic and married a non-Catholic in an outdoor ceremony by a Christian minister. They now want to be married in the Catholic Church. He need to be confirmed and she need to go through the whole process (Baptism and all). My question is if the Catholic Church recognizes non-Catholic Christian Baptisms and Marriages do they need to be re-married in the Catholic Church or is their wedding already valid since it was a Christian minister?

 

[Phemie]

My cousin was baptized Catholic and married a non-Catholic in an outdoor ceremony by a Christian minister. They now want to be married in the Catholic Church. He need to be confirmed and she need to go through the whole process (Baptism and all). My question is if the Catholic Church recognizes non-Catholic Christian Baptisms and Marriages do they need to be re-married in the Catholic Church or is their wedding already valid since it was a Christian minister?

Your cousin, as a baptized Catholic, was bound to marry according to Church Law: either marry in the Catholic Church or get a dispensation to marry in the Christian Church. Since it appears he did neither, no, their marriage isn’t valid and yes,they need a convalidation to make it so. A convalidation just means they will have to repeat their vows in front of a priest or deacon.

The Church teaches that before marrying, if it’s not too much of a hardship, a Catholic should be confirmed if he/she hasn’t yet been.

OTOH, there is no requirement for the non-Catholic to do anything in the line of conversion. I have no idea why “she need to go through the whole process (Baptism and all)” There is no obligation for her to do that to marry your cousin in the Catholic Church. Of course, maybe she WANTS to be baptized, confirmed and receive Communion, which is a horse of a different colour.

 

[spectre88]

Yes she actually does want to join the Catholic Church. Praise God for that.

 

[1ke]

The couple needs to talk to their priest. He will advise them on all the steps necessary to convalidate their marriage, complete their sacraments, join the church, etc.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

My cousin was baptized Catholic and married a non-Catholic in an outdoor ceremony by a Christian minister. They now want to be married in the Catholic Church. He need to be confirmed and she need to go through the whole process (Baptism and all). My question is if the Catholic Church recognizes non-Catholic Christian Baptisms and Marriages do they need to be re-married in the Catholic Church or is their wedding already valid since it was a Christian minister?

The Catholic Church does recognize some non-Catholic Christian Baptisms and many non-Catholic Marriages between two non-Catholics, even non-Christians as valid, but not necessarly Sacramental. Any Marriage involving a Baptized Catholic must be according to Catholic Church Law.