Catholic Convert - Married in another Christian Church before I was a Catholic

[cfernandomaciel]

I’m a convert catholic. I used to be a Mormon. I married my wife 15 years ago in the Mormon Church, according to our then beliefs, we married before God.

We left Mormonism 10 years ago, and I converted to Catholicism almost one year ago.

The idea that my marriage might not be valid just crossed my mind. I tried searching for some Church Cannons on this topic on the internet, but the only answers I could find were related to Catholic members marrying non-catholics, and not converted people whom married in another Christian church and now has been converted.

What is my current status? Am I living in sin?

 

[angel12]

I’m a convert catholic. I used to be a Mormon. I married my wife 15 years ago in the Mormon Church, according to our then beliefs, we married before God.

We left Mormonism 10 years ago, and I converted to Catholicism almost one year ago.

The idea that my marriage might not be valid just crossed my mind. I tried searching for some Church Cannons on this topic on the internet, but the only answers I could find were related to Catholic members marrying non-catholics, and not converted people whom married in another Christian church and now has been converted.

What is my current status? Am I living in sin?

Normally, the status of your marriage would have been discussed with you when you entered the Church. If not, the best thing to do is to contact your priest.

 

[vallancec]

You need to talk to your priest about this. I’m surprised this was not addressed when you entered the church. God Bless.

 

[Horton]

As long as there are no impediments, such as a previous marriage for either of you, your marriage becomes sacramental upon your baptism. If there was an impediment I’m sure it would have been discussed prior to your baptism.

You are not living in sin.

 

[cfernandomaciel]

I was born as a Catholic, therefore I had been baptized in the Catholic Church as a baby, and when I was 10 (or so) I had my first communion. But my parents moved to Mormonism soon after that. Back then, I didn’t have much knowledge about religion to make a real judgment whether I should stay in the Catholic Church or if I should become a Mormon (actually, I’m not even sure I was in a position of choosing about it back then). Specially here in Brazil, where Catholicism is in many cases, “just a cultural thing”. So, when I mentioned that I’m a convert, I am a convert In a sense that I had to go my own path to go to the Catholic Church, regardless of being previously baptized or not.

When I returned to the Catholic Church, I went to talk with the priest, and I mentioned to the Priest that I was already baptized, but soon after my first Eucharist (is that correct, in English?) I had left it to become a Mormon with my parents and siblings.

I mentioned that I had been married in the Mormon Church, and still am married and faithful to my wife to these days. But that question didn’t cross my mind at all.

So the priest gave me a blessing and stated that I was (for all practical purposes) still a Catholic. So he gave me a blessing after confession, and I went my way.

But now I’m confused!

 

[acanonlawyer]

But now I’m confused!

Yes, that is understandable. I would suggest perhaps getting a second opinion from another pastor or even call in to the office of the diocese (chancery or tribunal office) and see what might be said about your marital circumstances.

Dan

 

[angel12]

I mentioned that I had been married in the Mormon Church, and still am married and faithful to my wife to these days. But that question didn’t cross my mind at all.

So the priest gave me a blessing and stated that I was (for all practical purposes) still a Catholic. So he gave me a blessing after confession, and I went my way.

Then he obviously didn’t think your marriage was an issue.

 

[cfernandomaciel]

thank you, Dan.

 

[Horton]

Wouldn’t they need a convalidation as he was a Catholic and married outside the Church?

@cfernandomaciel - disregard my previous answer. That was for two unbaptized people. I didn’t know about the Catholic baptism.

 

[cfernandomaciel]

No Problems. BTW, completely forgot to mention. My wife, although not a catholic, in the same way, she was baptized in the catholic Church and did take the first communion.

Like myself, she was converted to Mormonism when she was 10 years old, because of her family. But differently from me, she is not feeling like going Catholic now.

 

[Horton]

If she was baptized Catholic, she is Catholic. She may be a what some call an undeveloped Catholic but Catholic all the same.

So when you joined the Church you only needed to do Confirmation? Your wife doesn’t want to return to the Church?

 

[acanonlawyer]

Wouldn’t they need a convalidation as he was a Catholic and married outside the Church?

… I’ll just say that this is a question for which a person should get a clear and certain answer, from someone who has knowledge of the facts of the persons involved and the pertinent law.

Dan

 

[cfernandomaciel]

Hey Horton.

I have returned to the Catholic Church for about 10 months or so. Fully practicing it for some 5 months or so. She has come a long way, meaning, she left atheism (we left Mormonism and became atheists for about 10 years) and now believes in a God. But it’s nothing really developed, yet.

As I know her, she takes about 3 years (it has been the average, hehe) to come to some conclusion about any serious matter.

I have been the one at home who brought the subject, and the study materials, that made us restart believing in God. I went further on my studies, all the way to Christianity, and through Saint Thomas Aquinas’ logics, I have been converted to Catholicism.

Since I have brought up the whole subject on God and theology, she has been listening to my findings. She never says anything about it, just listens to it. And when I ask her what she thinks about it, she says something like: “I don’t have the depth of knowledge you have looked for, in your life. But I’m happy in the way I am”.

So, I’ll not force her, because it will do only harm our relationship and the possibility of her in the future to look for it.

My youngest son has been going to Mass with me, and he has announced last Sunday to us that he wants to be baptized.
So, I’m hoping that she will eventually return to the Catholic Church in the due time.

I have finally managed (about 5 minutes ago) to speak with somebody from the Parish home (not sure how to call that in English) and they instructed me to talk with a bishop, so I could get a “Sanação Radical”, I think it’s called Radical Healing in English.

Well, I guess I’ll see what it gives. I’ll keep you guys updated to this status. Thanks for all the insights.

 

[1ke]

Deleted my answer due to new information on another post regarding the OP’s original baptism as a Catholic.