Hypothetical situations (Sacrament of Matrimony)

[saintodilia]

Edit: I realised too late I had posted this as a reply in another topic, when I had thought I had made a new thread. I feel like such a fool and was horrified at my stupid mistake! It was never my intention to be so rude as to take focus away from the original poster and I offer my sincerest apologies to Princess18. If you’re reading this, Princess18, I am SO sorry! Without sounding even stupider (which I’ve probably already done), please understand that I didn’t mean to be so rude. It was an honest mistake on my part.
Thank you.

–Odilia

Hello. I have hypothetical situations relating to the Sacrament of Matrimony. I’ll try to make them as specific as possible. These situations are not related to me personally but merely ones I was thinking about recently.

1. Can a never-married practising Catholic marry a divorced non-Catholic (especially someone who does not have any particular religious affiliation)? No children were produced during the previous marriage. The current couple would raise their children Catholic, per the wishes of the Catholic party.
   If the non-Catholic is not baptised, will he or she need to be in order for marriage to take place?
   If the non-Catholic’s previous marriage was a civil ceremony (at a registrar’s office or someplace similar), would a declaration of nullity be needed?
   Would a declaration of nullity be needed if the previous marriage was a religious ceremony?
2. If a never-married practising Catholic finds herself pregnant as the result of non-consensual sex, could she still be married to the father of the child, either during or after pregnancy?
   What if the father of the child was the divorced non-Catholic above?
   What if the father of the child was a never-married Catholic?
   If she did not know the father of the child, could she still be married some day?
   Wouldn’t marriage be in the best interests of those involved, namely the child and mother?
   I imagine the situation above would be quite complicated. Marriage is meant to be lifelong and marrying someone she hardly knows would be daunting.
3. If a Catholic couple has pre-martial sex (with or without contraception), knowing full well it’s a sin, and plan to marry in the church later, what would need to be done (besides penance)?
   What if the same situation applied to a Catholic and non-Catholic couple?
   What about a Catholic and divorced non-Catholic couple?

I greatly appreciate any help and answers offered.

Bless,

Odilia

 

[PhilotheaZ]

1. Can a never-married practising Catholic marry a divorced non-Catholic (especially someone who does not have any particular religious affiliation)? No children were produced during the previous marriage. The current couple would raise their children Catholic, per the wishes of the Catholic party.
   If the non-Catholic is not baptised, will he or she need to be in order for marriage to take place?
   If the non-Catholic’s previous marriage was a civil ceremony (at a registrar’s office or someplace similar), would a declaration of nullity be needed?
   Would a declaration of nullity be needed if the previous marriage was a religious ceremony?

A declaration of nullity would be needed. The Church considers a legal marriage between two non-Catholics to be valid, whether the wedding took place as a civil ceremony or as a religious ceremony.

The non-baptized person does not need to be baptized; however, a Catholic needs permission or a dispensation from the Church in order to marry a non-Catholic (permission in the case of a mixed marriage, i.e., marriage to a baptized non-Catholic Christian; dispensation in the case of disparity of cult, i.e., between a Catholic and a non-baptized person; see Catechism #1635).

As long as the marriage follows the form required by the Church, a marriage between a baptized Catholic and a non-baptized person is considered a valid natural (but non-sacramental) marriage. If the non-baptized person were to later choose to be baptized, the marriage would “automatically” become sacramental at the time of the baptism.

1. If a never-married practising Catholic finds herself pregnant as the result of non-consensual sex, could she still be married to the father of the child, either during or after pregnancy?

Yes, assuming that they are otherwise free to marry and are marrying for the right reasons. The priest would need to determine that both parties are entering the marriage freely, without coercion, and that they understand that marriage is a loving union that is permanent, exclusive, and open to life. He should make sure that they are not marrying only because of the pregnancy.

What if the father of the child was the divorced non-Catholic above?

A declaration of nullity would be necessary.

What if the father of the child was a never-married Catholic?

Yes, again, if they have the proper intentions.

If she did not know the father of the child, could she still be married some day?

Yes. I assume you mean to a different man whom she does know, and both of them understand that marriage is a loving union that is permanent, exclusive, and open to life.

1. If a Catholic couple has pre-martial sex (with or without contraception), knowing full well it’s a sin, and plan to marry in the church later, what would need to be done (besides penance)?
   What if the same situation applied to a Catholic and non-Catholic couple?
   What about a Catholic and divorced non-Catholic couple?

Pre-marital sex does not mean that a couple cannot get married. (If it did, unfortunately very few couples would be allowed to marry these days.) They might be advised to live chastely for a period of time prior to marrying. The Catholic/non-Catholic couple would need the proper permission or dispensaton. The divorced non-Catholic would need a decree of nullity for the prior attempted marriage.

 

[saintodilia]

Thank you for your helpful replies!

 

[PhilotheaZ]

1. If a never-married practising Catholic finds herself pregnant as the result of non-consensual sex, could she still be married to the father of the child, either during or after pregnancy?

In trying to find my path through all your various permutations, I somehow managed to miss the word non-. That might change the picture. I really don’t know the answer to that one. Sorry if I misled you! If you are talking about rape, why on earth would she want to marry him? My intuition tells me this would raise serious questions about his ability to enter into marriage validly; a man who would force himself on a woman does not, in my mind, demonstrate understanding of what a loving, faithful relationship entails.

 

[Spirithound]

Philothea answered the first one very nicely, so I’ll skip that one.

1. If a never-married practising Catholic finds herself pregnant as the result of non-consensual sex, could she still be married to the father of the child, either during or after pregnancy?
   What if the father of the child was the divorced non-Catholic above?
   What if the father of the child was a never-married Catholic?
   If she did not know the father of the child, could she still be married some day?
   Wouldn’t marriage be in the best interests of those involved, namely the child and mother?
   I imagine the situation above would be quite complicated. Marriage is meant to be lifelong and marrying someone she hardly knows would be daunting.

2a. Well, yes, but why?
2b. Anyone with a prior marriage needs a declaration of nullity to marry a Catholic validly.
2c. Yes.
2d. She can certainly be married, but I’m sensing you feel a child should always be with his or her natural parents. Rapists do not make good husband or fatherly material. She’s frankly better off alone.

1. If a Catholic couple has pre-martial sex (with or without contraception), knowing full well it’s a sin, and plan to marry in the church later, what would need to be done (besides penance)?
   What if the same situation applied to a Catholic and non-Catholic couple?
   What about a Catholic and divorced non-Catholic couple?

Only penance is required, although I would suggest the couple examine their consciences for the sin of presumption as well.
Only Catholics may receive the sacrament of Reconciliation.

 

[saintodilia]

Thanks, Spirithound! I appreciate your answers and taking the time to reply.