Does my marriage outside the Church need convalidation?

[Grantlee]

This is a marriage related question.

I am not baptized. I am currently in my 2nd year of RCIA. I am looking forward to my baptism, confirmation and first communion on Easter 2010. My RCIA director is aware of my marriage situation (described below) and has not indicated that it would be any kind of issue for the completion of the Easter activities.

My question is whether I need to take any steps relating to my marriage before my baptism/confirmation/first communion in 2010 and in order for me to remain in full communion with the Catholic church thereafter? Is convalidation or some other procedure necessary, and if so, when do I need to do that?

The situation of my marriage is that my wife was raised Catholic, baptized Catholic, and had 1st communion as a youngster, but her family faded away from the Church by the time she was to be confirmed, so she was not confirmed. My wife and I were married outside the Catholic church - in a civil ceremony - long before I started the RCIA process. As I mentioned above, I am not baptized.

Our marriage is the first and only marriage for both me and my wife.

Thanks

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

I don’t know what your RCIA director is thinking. Of course, you need to be validly married in order to enter the Catholic Church! Since your wife is a baptized Catholic and married outside of the Catholic Church, you both need to have your marriage convalidated. From what you have written, it sounds like an easy matter to take care of. See your priest about it soon.

The reason that it is necessary is that since the Church does not recognize your marriage as valid, and therefore, marital relations are considered to be sinful. One certainly should not receive baptism and the other sacraments and then immediately commit a mortal sin.
In fact, it would be good for you and you wife to be celibate until your marriage is convalidated. All you wife would then have to do is go to Confession and she would be able to receive Holy Communion. If you need further info on this, just contact me privately here by clicking on my name or you may email me at vserpa@catholic.com.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.