Can you help with this mixed marriage conflict?

[MAFan]

I was married to an unbaptised person while I lapsed from the Church. I insisted upon a divine presence at our marriage and my spouse relented to allow a non-denominational minister celebrate our marriage. He is a Methodist minister. Religion was not a facet of our courtship or our early marriage. I since went back to the Church. I now speak of religious matters and my spouse is not happy with this. I am in a position where I will have to choose my marriage or God. We have no children and the marriage union has not been blessed in the Catholic Church, however, God was included in our marriage ceremony. Are we married in the eyes of the Church? If we cannot resolve our issues, can I civilly divorce, as I would like to marry Catholic and start having kids.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

Whether God is mentioned in the ceremony or not, an Catholic who marries outside of the Catholic Church, in the eyes of the Church, does not contract a valid marriage.

If you divorce, you can apply for an annulment which would be easily granted since the Church does not recognize such marriages.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.