Does he need an annulment?

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dagnyhyacinth

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My boyfriend and his ex-wife are Christians but not catholic. They were married in court, had one kid and are now divorced

We are planning to get married and I am catholic.

I know I need to get a dispensation because I am catholic and he is not.

But does he also need an annulment?
 
You need to discuss this with a priest. No one on the forums can give you a definite answer.

The Church recognizes marriages between non-Catholics as valid marriages.

For now, what you need to remember is that he has been married once and until a tribunal rules otherwise, he is still married. Make an appointment to meet with a priest as soon as possible.
 
You need to make an appointment for the two of you to discuss this with your priest.

There are many factors that could weigh on which process he might need to go through, but ultimately until (and really that should be an if, since it could turn out that he is validly married) he is declared free to marry then you cannot proceed with any wedding plans.
 
Thanks for all the replies and advice.

I’ll make an appointment with my pp and discuss this further with him

God bless!
 
I was married previously. I had to get an annulment for the first marriage and we were not Catholic. I made the decision and converted when I remarried. In order for our marriage to be blessed by the Church an annulment was required.
 
dagnyhyacinth said:
My boyfriend and his ex-wife are Christians but not catholic. They were married in court, had one kid and are now divorced
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Non-Catholics are subject only to divine law requirements. To make a long story short, non-Catholics are not required to marry in a Church, and the Catholic Church assumes they are validly until proven otherwise.
We are planning to get married and I am catholic.
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He is considered married by the Catholic Church and is not free to marry you.
I know I need to get a dispensation because I am catholic and he is not.
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Not necessarily, unless he is not validly baptized.
But does he also need an annulment?
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He needs to be free to marry. That can be by having his prior marriage declared invalid (annulment), or by a marriage dissolution if he is not validly baptized.

Speak to a priest. There a many details to be addressed before he knows how to proceed.
 
agapewolf said:
This part is incorrect. Catholic have to receive permission to marry a baptized non-catholic
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I responded to this comment:
I know I need to get a dispensation because I am catholic and he is not.
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A dispensation is not required if the other party is a validly baptized Christian. It is true that permission is necessary, but permission is different from a dispensation.
 
TheWarriorMonk said:
I responded to this comment:

A dispensation is not required if the other party is a validly baptized Christian. It is true that permission is necessary, but permission is different from a dispensation.
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The practical effect of that difference is not even experienced by the petitioner (usually most don’t even know they need to get anything). your response was misleading.
 
agapewolf said:
The practical effect of that difference is not even experienced by the petitioner (usually most don’t even know they need to get anything). your response was misleading.
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There is a world of difference between sacramental and nonsacramental marriages, regardless of whether or not people understand it. Dispensations are not required for sacramental marriages, unless they occur outside the Catholic Church (not relevant to the question).
 
TheWarriorMonk said:
There is a world of difference between sacramental and nonsacramental marriages, regardless of whether or not people understand it. Dispensations are not required for sacramental marriages, unless they occur outside the Catholic Church (not relevant to the question).
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That is not what I was talking about, and you know it.

I was talking about the difference between permission/dispensation noticed by the people petitioning, often don’t even know they are petitioning for it because its done through the priest.

Your original response was misleading.
 
agapewolf said:
That is not what I was talking about, and you know it.

I was talking about the difference between permission/dispensation noticed by the people petitioning, often don’t even know they are petitioning for it because its done through the priest.

Your original response was misleading.
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No it was not. Sorry, but "permission: is not in any way, shape, or form a “dispensation.” A dispensation IS NOT required for a marriage that is sacramental in nature.

BTW, it’s addressed right on this website:

catholic.com/quickquestions/what-are-the-requirements-for-marrying-a-non-catholic-christian
 
TheWarriorMonk said:
No it was not. Sorry, but "permission: is not in any way, shape, or form a “dispensation.” A dispensation IS NOT required for a marriage that is sacramental in nature.

BTW, it’s addressed right on this website:

catholic.com/quickquestions/what-are-the-requirements-for-marrying-a-non-catholic-christian
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You’re not reading what I’m writing. I’m not arguing there isn’t a difference. I’m the one that actually brought it up, remember? For the 3rd time…I’m NOT arguing that there isn’t a difference. I’ve made that clear, yet you seem to want to argue this. I agree with you.

I’m saying the difference in effect is not felt or known usually by the petitioner, as most of the time they aren’t aware that its even done.

Your original correction was misleading. All you needed to do (which I did for you) was add a sentence: Instead of saying “no you don’t need a dispensation”. You could have said “technically, you don’t need a dispensation, but permission”.

That would have been clear. Your original correction of the OP came up short, which sort of implies that nothing needs to be done, rather something Different needs to be done.

I think you are well aware of this, but would like to get the last word in here or something, for whatever reason. If you must, go ahead.
 
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