Catholic Wedding after Civil Marriage?

[ALLGIRLS]

I think it would be better all around if the Church were not involved as an agent of the State. That would mean that people who approach the Church for marriage are really interested in the religious aspect of the ceremony. Let the people deal with Caesar then come to God.

Me too. Hopefully, with Gay Marriage soon to be the law of the land in the U.S. (I don’t see anyway of it not happening, despite the fact that the majority of voters don’t want it), we can change the laws in that regard, as well. I wouldn’t have had any problem getting “married” twice. I know which one really counts! (like the OP).

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[Bluegoat]

Me too. Hopefully, with Gay Marriage soon to be the law of the land in the U.S. (I don’t see anyway of it not happening, despite the fact that the majority of voters don’t want it), we can change the laws in that regard, as well. I wouldn’t have had any problem getting “married” twice. I know which one really counts! (like the OP).

In Christ,

Ellen

I also think this makes a fair bit of sense. It makes it clear what is the legal understanding of marriage, and what is the religious understanding. Though, would a legal marriage under the right circumstances be considered a valid natural marriage by the CC? I think it would have to be.

 

[agapewolf]

I think it would be better all around if the Church were not involved as an agent of the State. That would mean that people who approach the Church for marriage are really interested in the religious aspect of the ceremony. Let the people deal with Caesar then come to God.

What about taking it from the other way. What about the state not having anything to do with religion…meaning, there is no “legal” marriage.

If one wants to get married, one has to go to his or her church/private institution to do so.

I realize that this may have certain “tax” consequences, but other than that I wonder whats the harm? That way, there is no state sanctioned “gay” marriage or any of the sort.

I’m not trying to be argumentative, but I’ve been pondering this “what if” for awhile.

 

[Phemie]

What about taking it from the other way. What about the state not having anything to do with religion…meaning, there is no “legal” marriage.

If one wants to get married, one has to go to his or her church/private institution to do so.

I realize that this may have certain “tax” consequences, but other than that I wonder whats the harm? That way, there is no state sanctioned “gay” marriage or any of the sort.

I’m not trying to be argumentative, but I’ve been pondering this “what if” for awhile.

If it were only a religious issue I’d say ‘sure’ but the State has a vested interest in marriages and has had since before the Churches were involved. Even the Church recognizes that a marriage is a contract as well as a sacrament (when it is a sacrament). People who have no religious inclination whatsoever still want to be ‘married’.

 

[CMP2]

Civil papers are signed at every Catholic ceremony as well as the Sacramental register of Marriage.
Why would a Catholic want a marriage outside of the Church? Yes, I realize that sometimes it is a matter of ‘legal’ jurisdiction on immigration etc. but there is also the issue of justification as well. Sometimes we must wait and be patient in Christ and do what is proper in the eyes of Holy Mother Church.
I know there may be exceptions, but there are exceptions (?) to every commandment if it is looked for.
The main issue is resolve the error as soon as possible as one who is married in a civil ceremony is separated from the Eucharist until it is resolved. This is such a shame.
So discern carefully before entering into such a contract.
God bless all for looking to validate such marriages. This is good.

 

[antonabe]

We have a more complex situation.My friends daughter a Catholic, has never married and is now engaged to be married to a non Catholic who was married in the Caholic Church as a mixed marriage to a Catholic lady and is now legally divorced.Though married in the Catholic Church he never became a Catholic.We are now told that he has get an annulment though not a Catholic.Is this correct and what is the procedure involved.If this question cannot be answered in this thread I could pose this question to a Forum Elder if that is possible.

 

[Phemie]

We have a more complex situation.My friends daughter a Catholic, has never married and is now engaged to be married to a non Catholic who was married in the Caholic Church as a mixed marriage to a Catholic lady and is now legally divorced.Though married in the Catholic Church he never became a Catholic.We are now told that he has get an annulment though not a Catholic.Is this correct and what is the procedure involved.If this question cannot be answered in this thread I could pose this question to a Forum Elder if that is possible.

That is correct. His fiancée is Catholic and she cannot marry a man who is already married – and he is still married as far as the Church is concerned. Mother Church would still consider him married even if his first marriage had been to another non-Catholic in the registry office.

He needs to go see the priest where he lives and tell him that he wants to petition for a decree of nullity. His marriage will be examined to determine whether or not there was something in existence at the time they spoke their vows that made marriage impossible. If it’s found that such a situation existed his marriage will be declared invalid and he’ll be free to marry his fiancée.

Your friends’ daughter should be prepared for his marriage to be found valid which would mean she can never marry him in the Church.

 

[puzzleannie]

We have a more complex situation.My friends daughter a Catholic, has never married and is now engaged to be married to a non Catholic who was married in the Caholic Church as a mixed marriage to a Catholic lady and is now legally divorced.Though married in the Catholic Church he never became a Catholic.We are now told that he has get an annulment though not a Catholic.Is this correct and what is the procedure involved.If this question cannot be answered in this thread I could pose this question to a Forum Elder if that is possible.

short answer yes
long answer participate in one of the annulment threads for a fuller discussion and good links. there is no valid answer to be given here, they have to visit their priest to discuss their individual situation

 

[bmadamsberry]

This is commonly done in countries such as France, where marriage is thought of as two distinct things, a sacrament and a civil contract. In this way, certain countries have had easier times with the ‘gay marriage’ question, because they justify the thought of allowing a civil contract between two same-sex couples, without infringing and/or forcing Churches to accept this on the sacramental level. In countries similar to the US, where the sacrament of marriage and the legal side of marriage are ‘married’ (pun intended) together, it is seen less often. Once in France, I witnessed a marriage limo pull up to a court house where the couple took care of the government side of their marriage, and then rush off to the church for the sacrament side.

 

[lulustar]

Hi There

we live in New Zealand and booked a trip back tot he uk which is where both me and partner grew up, after booking we decided we would finally get married, we have 2 children and have lived together for 11 years (we did every thing back to front), After booking the church in the uk etc we found out that english law requires us to be on uk soil for 26 days before we can legally marry, our trip isnt that long and unfortunatly we cant afford to change out tickets, it was actually the church who advised us to have a civil ceremony in new zealand then a church wedding in the uk. my partner is my best friend and we plan to celebrate this in our cvil ceremony, we will not exchange rings, and I will not wear a dress, I was very upset when I found out I may not be able to marry in the church as the marriage vows in a church and the marriage in the eyes af lord is very important to us, so I feel we are getting the best of both worlds, a celration of our friendship and a celebration of our love.
we have just finished our marriage preparation, the priest was amazing, I did worry as we have to children but he was very supportive, he praised us for our future plans
never once commented on our past, He was a fine example of a catholic.

I believe the church will bless anyonbe and any marriage ceremony as long as it is genuine and honest,

goodluck.x

 

[Chatter163]

Hi There

we live in New Zealand and booked a trip back tot he uk which is where both me and partner grew up, after booking we decided we would finally get married, we have 2 children and have lived together for 11 years (we did every thing back to front), After booking the church in the uk etc we found out that english law requires us to be on uk soil for 26 days before we can legally marry, our trip isnt that long and unfortunatly we cant afford to change out tickets, it was actually the church who advised us to have a civil ceremony in new zealand then a church wedding in the uk. my partner is my best friend and we plan to celebrate this in our cvil ceremony, we will not exchange rings, and I will not wear a dress, I was very upset when I found out I may not be able to marry in the church as the marriage vows in a church and the marriage in the eyes af lord is very important to us, so I feel we are getting the best of both worlds, a celration of our friendship and a celebration of our love.
we have just finished our marriage preparation, the priest was amazing, I did worry as we have to children but he was very supportive, he praised us for our future plans
never once commented on our past, He was a fine example of a catholic.

I believe the church will bless anyonbe and any marriage ceremony as long as it is genuine and honest,

goodluck.x

It is difficult to read and understand this, due to the lack of capital letters and terminal punctuation. Sorry.