Atheist married couples convert to Catholics

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Okay, so I was wondering the other day about secular marriages. If two people get married and are both atheists when they get married, but convert to Catholics after they are married do they have to renew their marriage vows in a church? Would they just continue? I’m just wondering how they would go about it. Thanks for your time!
 
RandomGirl said:
do they have to renew their marriage vows in a church?
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No. They are married. If two unbaptized people get baptized, their valid natural marriage becomes a valid sacramental marriage. If they were baptized in non-Catholic (and non-Orthodox) churches at any point, then these atheists already have a valid and sacramental marriage.

They can ask for the nuptial blessing from their pastor.

(If either of these “atheists” were baptized as Catholics or Orthodox as babies, that is a different story and form of marriage would necessitate a convalidation).
 
1ke, as always, is correct.

Non-Catholics aren’t bound by canon law. This is why, as long as there isn’t something they can prove “on paper” to make the marriage de facto invalid (baptized Catholic/Orthodox and married outside the Church, too closely related, not old enough to give consent, or a history of a prior marriage and the former spouse is still alive and no declaration of nullity was granted), the Church generally accepts the marriages of non-Catholics as valid, regardless of the type of ceremony involved.

Once both parties are validly baptized, their marriage automatically becomes sacramental. They may wish to renew their vows, but it must be made clear that this is a renewal only and not a convalidation.
 
Would a convalidation be considered for people in this situation?
 
No, absolutely not.

They are validly married. A convalidation is the exchange of new consent in a situation involving an invalid marriage.
 
Exactly. To elaborate further, a convalidation refers to a couple marrying in the Church because their current marriage is not valid. In the case described, assuming there was no impediment that could be proven “on paper”, the marriage is de facto valid. They’re married.
 
I know Jennifer Fulwiler and Her Husband were Atheist before they became Catholics.
 
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