Catholic convert....remarriage

[Thomas1967]

Hello,

I am a Catholic convert of seven years. My question is about remarriage…

I was married 21 years ago in a penecostal church, myself and my ex-wife were both baptised into the penecostal church in our teens. We were married by the pastor of that church in the early 90s.

We eventually left the church, and some years later I converted to the Catholic faith, I attended mass regularly. My wife never converted to the Catholic Church, and we never had any cermonony or blessing on our marriage once I converted.

Two years after my conversion my wife ended the marriage. We got a civil divorce and went our separate ways.

Since that time, I have met and got engaged to a Catholic woman, we have been together for four years and attend mass together.

Is my previous marriage an obstacle in wanting to get married in the Catholic Church? Was my previous marriage valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church?

Thankyou.

 

[lmelahn]

Dear Thomas,

I suggest that you contact the marriage tribunal for your diocese. (You can do that through your local parish).

The theology of it is that, any marriage between baptized persons is a sacrament, regardless of whether the persons are members of the Catholic Church or not. Thus, it enjoys all the privileges of a sacramental marriage: in particular, if the marriage is consummated, it is absolutely indissoluble, except by the death of one of the spouses.

This is true even if the baptisms were performed after the marriage. (Once both spouses are baptized, the marriage automatically–so to speak–becomes a sacramental marriage. No further “blessing” or ceremony is necessary.)

Also, non-Catholics are not bound to follow what is called “Canonical form” (which normally entails, among other things, having a suitably authorized priest or deacon be a witness to the marriage). Thus, marriages celebrated in Protestant congregations are considered valid.

From what you describe, it would seem that your previous marriage would have to be presumed valid, and hence still in effect.

Having said that, it would be worth contacting the marriage tribunal to see if there were circumstances that might have rendered your previous marriage invalid (in other words, that prevented it from coming into existence in the first place). This is the process that is often–erroneously–called “annulment,” but should really be called a “declaration of nullity.”

The process might take some time and would probably entail hiring a canon lawyer (the parish will help you through the process). It is often, however, very helpful for sorting out any difficulties and anxieties regarding the previous marriage.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Father Louis Melahn, L.C.

 

[1ke]

and we never had any cermonony or blessing on our marriage once I converted.

When two non-Catholics marry, they marry validly. There is no ceremony or blessing if one
converts to the Catholic Church since the two are already validly married.

Since that time, I have met and got engaged to a Catholic woman, we have been together for four years and attend mass together.

Please make an appointment with your pastor ASAP. You are not free to be engaged to anyone at this time.

Is my previous marriage an obstacle in wanting to get married in the Catholic Church?

You are validly married. So, yes, that marriage is an impediment to any other marriage. Unless you have grounds for a decree of nullity, you are bound by this bond.

Was my previous marriage valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church?

Yes.

Please make an appointment with your pastor.