Divorce in converts

[MaryRita85]

If a couple gets married, and they are Protesants, and they they convert to Catholicism, what is that process? Is it even seen as a valid marriage since it wasn’t done through the Catholic Church? Does an Annulment still occur. Does having the divorce, restrict Communion? What are the general rules when speaking of a marriage outside the CC but they are not part of the CC? I know a lot of questions, sorry.

 

[Sillara]

A Protestant couple who marry as Protestants are considered validly married, assuming no other difficulties, such as a prior marriage. For instance, my husband and I converted to Catholicism from Protestantism (my husband was a Nazarene, too), and there was nothing for us to do to have our marriage validated. It was our first and only marriage, of course. (You should have seen our priest’s relief when we told him this!) In fact, as we were both validly baptized when we married, our marriage was actually sacramental even prior to our conversion.

The opening post was a bit unclear. What is the situation? Are the Protestant couple in question still living properly as husband and wife and just want to make sure their marriage is considered valid by the Church? Or are they civilly divorced?

 

[MaryRita85]

A Protestant couple who marry as Protestants are considered validly married, assuming no other difficulties, such as a prior marriage. For instance, my husband and I converted to Catholicism from Protestantism (my husband was a Nazarene, too), and there was nothing for us to do to have our marriage validated. It was our first and only marriage, of course. (You should have seen our priest’s relief when we told him this!) In fact, as we were both validly baptized when we married, our marriage was actually sacramental even prior to our conversion.

The opening post was a bit unclear. What is the situation? Are the Protestant couple in question still living properly as husband and wife and just want to make sure their marriage is considered valid by the Church? Or are they civilly divorced?

In the scenario, the former Protestant couple who are now Catholic are living as husband and wife but are considering divorce. One was Baptized at the time of marriage the other was not and was Baptized at conversion.

And no other marriages

 

[nodito]

Two baptized Protestants who marry do so validly and sacramentally when there are no other impediments (like prior marriages). When they become Catholic, their marriage is still considered valid and sacramental.

If one of the spouses was previously married, the Church presumes that the original marriage was valid, and the current marriage in invalid. The couple in the invalid marriage would need to ask the Tribunal to examine the original marriage to see if it was valid or not. They would be welcomed into the Catholic Church if they could agree to cease marital relations since they are not validly married.

A Protestant couple with no impediments marry validly even if one or both are not baptized at the time of the wedding. Their marriage becomes sacramental the moment they are both baptized, as Catholics or otherwise.

God bless.

 

[MaryRita85]

Two baptized Protestants who marry do so validly and sacramentally when there are no other impediments (like prior marriages). When they become Catholic, their marriage is still considered valid and sacramental.

If one of the spouses was previously married, the Church presumes that the original marriage was valid, and the current marriage in invalid. The couple in the invalid marriage would need to ask the Tribunal to examine the original marriage to see if it was valid or not. They would be welcomed into the Catholic Church if they could agree to cease marital relations since they are not validly married.

A Protestant couple with no impediments marry validly even if one or both are not baptized at the time of the wedding. Their marriage becomes sacramental the moment they are both baptized, as Catholics or otherwise.

God bless.

Ok, so if they decided to end it, it would be a case for an Annulment as the marriage was sacramental?

 

[Sillara]

Ok, so if they decided to end it, it would be a case for an Annulment as the marriage was sacramental?

Yes.

But please tell them to try to save their marriage!

 

[MaryRita85]

Oh absolutely, you must do and try everything you can.

 

[HoosMommie]

However, the nullification petition is based upon what was going on when the couple ENTERED the marriage, not what has gone on after the vows. The couple must also understand that not all such petitions are granted. I agree with Sillara, please encourage them to make every effort to save their marriage, especially if there are children.

God bless them.

 

[1ke]

If a couple gets married, and they are Protesants, and they they convert to Catholicism, what is that process?

Provided there were no impediments such as previous marriages for either of them,the marriage is valid and there is no “process” other than notation in the sacramental records.

Is it even seen as a valid marriage since it wasn’t done through the Catholic Church?

Yes. Catholic canon laws that are disciplinary in nature (i.e. where one must be married) only binds Catholics.

Does an Annulment still occur.

Not sure I follow you. Married people don’t get annulments.

Does having the divorce, restrict Communion?

Again, not following you. If a married couple divorces after converting, they can still receive communion. They cannot remarry.

What are the general rules when speaking of a marriage outside the CC but they are not part of the CC? I know a lot of questions, sorry.

Non-Catholics marry validly when they marry each other, presuming no divine law impediments such as close kinship, prior marriages, etc,

 

[1ke]

Ok, so if they decided to end it, it would be a case for an Annulment as the marriage was sacramental?

I don’t think you understand nullity properly. “End it” through divorce is not itself a “case” for an annulment.

The couple, if they divorce, are still in a valid, sacramental marriage. They are not free to marry other people.

If they want to investigate their freedom to marry after a divorce, they should talk to their pastor about whether or not they have grounds for a decree of nullity. They may. They may not.

Instead of divorcing, they should pursue counseling. they made a sacramental commitment to each other. Suggest Retrouvailles.

 

[revert_jen]

In the scenario, the former Protestant couple who are now Catholic are living as husband and wife but are considering divorce. One was Baptized at the time of marriage the other was not and was Baptized at conversion.

And no other marriages

I think the fact that one of the parties was NOT baptized at the time of the marriage might make for some complications/options. I don’t think their marriage would necessarily be considered sacramental, but I’m not at all sure. Really, one or both of them should probably contact their diocesan marriage tribunal for more information about their specific situation.

–Jen

 

[Soren_Itenu]

I think the fact that one of the parties was NOT baptized at the time of the marriage might make for some complications/options. I don’t think their marriage would necessarily be considered sacramental, but I’m not at all sure. Really, one or both of them should probably contact their diocesan marriage tribunal for more information about their specific situation.

–Jen

Actually not. Though it would not have been sacramental at that time, it would have been perfectly valid. Once the unbaptized spouse was baptized, it automatically became sacramental.