Invalid marriage

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Hello. I am new and just learning the ropes. I have many questions. If one was married outside of the church, I understand the marriage is invalid and the couple is living in sin and cannot receive holy communion until the marriage is convalidated, correct?

What if the couple no longer has sexual relations and only live as brother and sister?

Is there any point to have a marriage convalidated if one or both of the parties do not really want to be married but intend to stay together until their children are grown?
 
These are questions best discussed with a priest.

If you are in an invalid marriage and have ceased relations, then go to Confession and disucss it with your priest and you should be able to resume receiving Communion if he gives permission.

If you intend to split up, even though it will be down the road, I don’t think you can convalidate your marriage-- you already have an intent against permanency. If you convalidate, you would have to give consent and mean it. And, of course, convalidation would create an indissoluable bond.

Again, talk to your priest. You can’t go into a convalidation intending to divorce your spouse when the kids are grown!
 
K_M said:
Hello. I am new and just learning the ropes. I have many questions. If one was married outside of the church, I understand the marriage is invalid and the couple is living in sin and cannot receive holy communion until the marriage is convalidated, correct?

What if the couple no longer has sexual relations and only live as brother and sister?

Is there any point to have a marriage convalidated if one or both of the parties do not really want to be married but intend to stay together until their children are grown?
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If one of you was Catholic at the time of the marriage, and did not receive a dispensation from the bishop, then the marriage is invalid. If, however, neither of you were Catholic, then the marriage is still putatively valid.
 
Thank you for the replies. We were both baptised Catholics though not practicing at the time we were married.

I have never been to Confession. That is another issue which I will have many questions about in the coming days. I am starting RCIA in the fall, and I’m very eager to learn all I can.
 
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