Can I join?

[skyrain30]

I am thinking of starting the RCIA classes in my community. I have never been to a catholic church but feel drawn to do that now. I was babtized in the LDS church when I was 8 but have never really attended. I do not believe this is the right church for me. I am married. My husband was also babtized in the LDS church and is in the same situation as me. He was married before and divorced. Will any of this effect my ability to complete the classes and join the church?

 

[Miserissima]

The good and bad thing is that the Catholic Church does not recognize LDS Baptism. This would mean that your RCIS would prepare you for Baptism as well as receiving the other sacraments of the Church.

Would your husband be joining you? Has he, too, shown an interest in the Catholic church?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I am thinking of starting the RCIA classes in my community. I have never been to a catholic church but feel drawn to do that now. I was babtized in the LDS church when I was 8 but have never really attended. I do not believe this is the right church for me. I am married. My husband was also babtized in the LDS church and is in the same situation as me. He was married before and divorced. Will any of this effect my ability to complete the classes and join the church?

You might want to start attending Mass. It’s open to everyone to attend and you’ll start to see what Catholic worship is like and it is the best introduction to Catholicism. It may seem a bit confusing at first as people start to stand, sit, or kneel at various times. Just follow along. Most parishes have something called a missalette with the readings and responses. The only thing you wouldn’t be able to do is receive communion since that is reserved to Catholics.

Talk with the priest there or RCIA director. They’ll be able to fill you in on what is involved in becoming Catholic.

Your priest will be able to help you with your husband’s previous marriage. Most likely a Tribunal will need to investigate to see if it was a valid marriage. Your priest will have the information you need.

 

[skyrain30]

My husband supports me in wanting to join but does not intend to do so himself. How does that change things if I need to be babtized? It is a good thing right?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

My husband supports me in wanting to join but does not intend to do so himself. How does that change things if I need to be babtized? It is a good thing right?

It’s not necessary for your husband to become Catholic in order for you to do so. You can go through RCIA and be baptized. It’s good that he supports you in this.

His prior marriage will still be an issue to discuss with the priest.

 

[puzzleannie]

I am thinking of starting the RCIA classes in my community. I have never been to a catholic church but feel drawn to do that now. I was babtized in the LDS church when I was 8 but have never really attended. I do not believe this is the right church for me. I am married. My husband was also babtized in the LDS church and is in the same situation as me. He was married before and divorced. Will any of this effect my ability to complete the classes and join the church?

anyone is welcome in most parishes to attend at least inquiry sessions, usually an informal meeting perhaps with a few others like yourself, who have questions about the whole process, and some parish people. At each stage of the process, candidates are asked to think and pray about proceeding to the next level, and the parish prays for you at these times of progress and decision.

The first step is to set up an interview with your pastor, both of you if you plan to do this, or by yourself if your husband is not yet ready. Do lay out all the facts of your religious upbringing, background, and current practice. Also lay out all the facts of your marital history. He will advise you on how to proceed. No way to even address the marriage situation w/o all the facts, some of which you may not even know at this point, so not helpful to discuss here.

Yes there may be some delay while your situation is unraveled, but there is nothing ultimately that will keep you from the fullness of faith and communion with Christ and his Church, but it will happen in God’s good time, with your cooperation and humility, and the concerted efforts of other good Catholics committed to walking with you on this journey.

Welcome Home!

 

[skyrain30]

I know I need to set up an appointment with the priest about my husbands previous marriage but was wondering if anyone knows how that might go. From reading others posts it looks like I can not fully join unless my husbands previous marriage is annulled. Is that correct? My husband and his ex-wife were both baptized in the LDS church and it was a civil marriage. Does any of that change anything? Also what exactly is annulment? Does that basically say that the marriage never existed? Does it cost money to get an annulment? Thanks for your help.

 

[kabyr8]

I know I need to set up an appointment with the priest about my husbands previous marriage but was wondering if anyone knows how that might go. From reading others posts it looks like I can not fully join unless my husbands previous marriage is annulled. Is that correct? My husband and his ex-wife were both baptized in the LDS church and it was a civil marriage. Does any of that change anything? Also what exactly is annulment? Does that basically say that the marriage never existed? Does it cost money to get an annulment? Thanks for your help.

Talking to the pastor is one thing you can do. you can also call the Tribunal (a part of the Diocese that deals with declarations of nullity (annulments) They can give you information about the cost (yes it does cost something, but each diocese has a different pay scale. Most dioceses have a sliding scale based on what you can pay, or you can set up a payment plan. Some dioceses have advocates that work with the person in getting the paperwork done and turned in. Depending on your diocese and the number of cases it handles each year it could take anywhere from 6months to 1 year from the time you submit the paperwork. Tell your husband not to get discouraged. Each case is different and it depends on the grounds that the tribunal judge (canon lawyer) sets.
check your diocesan web sight and see if they have some information on annulments. There are some books that are question and answer format, that might help.
In the mean time, continue to go to Mass , read and continue to ask questions
I hope this helps

 

[PJM]

=skyrain30;5330508]I am thinking of starting the RCIA classes in my community. I have never been to a catholic church but feel drawn to do that now. I was babtized in the LDS church when I was 8 but have never really attended. I do not believe this is the right church for me. I am married. My husband was also babtized in the LDS church and is in the same situation as me. He was married before and divorced. Will any of this effect my ability to complete the classes and join the church?

Baptism in the LDS is not a valid Christian Baptism so you both would have to receive all of the sacraments if iniation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

I’m not positive of the effect of your marriage. I suspect that it might be determined to be a valid “civil union” rather than a ligitiment marriage. This only means that in the eyes of the State he was married, but not in the eyes of god. This should be an early question to ask the priest at your parish.

If this is a correct understanding, it would not be an impediment. Is hubby also considering investigating the RCC?

In what I have studdied about the LDS they do not beleive in the Triue Godhead of the Bible. nor do they accept Christ as the Son of God; both human with a human nature and at the same time God with his Divine Nature.

RCIA is ideal for you to determine if the RCC is for you, and to get a great many of your questions answered. The first segment is a period of Discovery, to aid you in this very process.

Love and prayers,

 

[phoenix3212]

I know I need to set up an appointment with the priest about my husbands previous marriage but was wondering if anyone knows how that might go. From reading others posts it looks like I can not fully join unless my husbands previous marriage is annulled. Is that correct? My husband and his ex-wife were both baptized in the LDS church and it was a civil marriage. Does any of that change anything? Also what exactly is annulment? Does that basically say that the marriage never existed? Does it cost money to get an annulment? Thanks for your help.

I suspect the marriage between your husband and his ex-wife wasn’t sacramental. The Catholic Church presumes that the marriage between two baptized Christians is sacramental and indissoluble, but thankfully for you, the Church doesn’t recognize LDS baptism as sacramentally valid. This probably means that it won’t be an issue at all, so just speak to a priest about it.

By the way, if you’re confused as to the Catholic understanding of the word “sacrament,” it means thus: “important visible rituals which Catholics see as signs of God’s presence and effective channels of God’s grace to all those who receive them with the proper disposition.” The LDS call their religious rituals that resemble sacraments, “ordinances”.

An annulment is a declaration that a marriage was invalid from the start, because it lacked the proper prerequisites for being valid. You’re correct in your understanding that it basically says the marriage never existed in the first place, and that it costs money to obtain one. But as I said, your husband’s previous marriage probably won’t be an issue, so I don’t think you’ll have to go through the long annulment process.

Start going to mass, just to get a feel of how Catholics worship.

 

[puzzleannie]

I suspect the marriage between your husband and his ex-wife wasn’t sacramental. The Catholic Church presumes that the marriage between two baptized Christians is sacramental and indissoluble, but thankfully for you, the Church doesn’t recognize LDS baptism as sacramentally valid. This probably means that it won’t be an issue at all, so just speak to a priest about it.

all of which is beside the point
the issue is whether or not OP’s current marriage is valid, not whether it is sacramental.

that cannot be answered until any previous marriage is examined, to determine its validity, not its sacramentality.

OP will not get an answer in this forum that will be specific to her situation because there is no way all the relevant facts can be explored here. That is why the previous marriage must be investigated and judged by those competent to do so, namely the canon law tribunal of the diocese. OP should speak to her pastor in a confidential interview, with an appointment, and give him all the facts not only about her marriage, but about her baptismal status, current and past religious affiliation and so forth. That way the priest can advise her what steps, in what order, may be taken to facilitate her entry into the Catholic Church.

Welcome home, OP!
no matter how long it takes, the journey is in, with and through Christ and we will be praying for you.

no your husband does not have to convert, but he may very well wish to accompany you to at least some of your conversations with the priest, regarding the marriage situation, and to some of your classes, so he will know somewhat of what you are learning, experiencing, and the commitments you will be making.

please do not accept any advice given here regarding a marriage situation as anything but very general, since each situation is unique. The sooner you speak to your pastor the better.

 

[skyrain30]

all of which is beside the point
the issue is whether or not OP’s current marriage is valid, not whether it is sacramental.

that cannot be answered until any previous marriage is examined, to determine its validity, not its sacramentality.

OP will not get an answer in this forum that will be specific to her situation because there is no way all the relevant facts can be explored here. That is why the previous marriage must be investigated and judged by those competent to do so, namely the canon law tribunal of the diocese. OP should speak to her pastor in a confidential interview, with an appointment, and give him all the facts not only about her marriage, but about her baptismal status, current and past religious affiliation and so forth. That way the priest can advise her what steps, in what order, may be taken to facilitate her entry into the Catholic Church.

Welcome home, OP!
no matter how long it takes, the journey is in, with and through Christ and we will be praying for you.

no your husband does not have to convert, but he may very well wish to accompany you to at least some of your conversations with the priest, regarding the marriage situation, and to some of your classes, so he will know somewhat of what you are learning, experiencing, and the commitments you will be making.

please do not accept any advice given here regarding a marriage situation as anything but very general, since each situation is unique. The sooner you speak to your pastor the better.

I know that I am only asking for opinions and do need to speak with my pastor. My husband has no desire to join the church but does not object to my joining. I worry about him getting an annulment though. I know and am friends with his ex wife. I would feel bad to say that their marriage never existed. They had 3 beautiful children in that marriage. I hope they understand my intent in asking them to do this. I feel it is important for my soul.

 

[kabyr8]

I know that I am only asking for opinions and do need to speak with my pastor. My husband has no desire to join the church but does not object to my joining. I worry about him getting an annulment though. I know and am friends with his ex wife. I would feel bad to say that their marriage never existed. They had 3 beautiful children in that marriage. I hope they understand my intent in asking them to do this. I feel it is important for my soul.

I t isn’t that the marriage never existed, it did legally in the eyes of the state, the church looks at it as was valid consent given at the time of the marriage. The church’s first thought is to the children. They are legitimate children in the eyes of the Church. that is why talking to the Tribunal, to the pastor or an Advocate will truly help you and your husband through this journey. It helps to do some reading on declarations of nullity and ask questions. the more you know and the more your husband understands the process, the easier it will be.
It the meantime, continue to go to mass, spend time in prayer and adoration, it will strengthen you .
I do hope this helps

 

[xpistou]

I know that I am only asking for opinions and do need to speak with my pastor. My husband has no desire to join the church but does not object to my joining. I worry about him getting an annulment though. I know and am friends with his ex wife. I would feel bad to say that their marriage never existed. They had 3 beautiful children in that marriage. I hope they understand my intent in asking them to do this. I feel it is important for my soul.

It sounds to me like there could be another option. First of all, an annulment does nothing. That is to say, it simply declares whether the marriage is valid or invalid. Therefore, there is no guarantee that an annulment is warrented.

However, the pope can dissolve a valid but none sacramental marriage so that you can become Catholic. This is called a Petrine privilage. This is a way to say that the previous marriage did really exist, but now it is over. Typically, these take about as much time as an annulment and cost about the same.

Yours in Christ,

 

[Rolltide]

Skyrain30,
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