Divorce; Death of 1st Husband

[Marchmain1987]

I’m not sure if this is the correct place to post?

My friend married after high school in the 1970s. The marriage (a very tragic one) lasted a few years. The marriage was performed by a Southern Baptist minister (my friend’s Protestant denomination) and ended in a civil divorce. A few years, later she remarried in the same denomination; they are still married (and together, happily so).
Her first husband is dead.

If I were to continue in my conversations with her about Catholicism, how would I address this topic with her? It is not an easy subject for her.

Since her first husband is dead, would she have to go through some form of the annulment process?

 

[mamaslo]

If the first husband is not among the living there is nothing to annul. I am not sure about the current marriage. if they would have to convalidate…that would be a good question for your priest.

 

[joanofarc2008]

Convalidation would still be needed when she enters the Church as at the time there was an impediment to the marriage - that being the ex-husband was still alive. (assuming that the death occurred after the marriage.) If that is not true than most likely the convalidation is not needed unless one of them was baptized Catholic at some point. Your best bet is to have her talk to the priest.

 

[Marchmain1987]

Thanks Very Much!