Is a marriage in an Evangelical (mainline) Church recognized by the Roman Catholic Church?

[hess1020]

A catholic friend of mine married to his wife in her church (Mainline Evangelical) and he is wondering whether or not his marriage is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. He has stop receiving communion because of this, but would love to go back to his sacramental life. His wife does not want to get her marriage blessed by the Roman Church because of certain misconceptions about the Church…Help, please!
hess

 

[SMHW]

A catholic friend of mine married to his wife in her church (Mainline Evangelical) and he is wondering whether or not his marriage is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. He has stop receiving communion because of this, but would love to go back to his sacramental life. His wife does not want to get her marriage blessed by the Roman Church because of certain misconceptions about the Church…Help, please!
hess

It sounds like your friend did not obtain the necessary dispensations to marry in a non-Catholic Church. As such his marriage would not be recognized as valid.

Have your friend speak to a priest. Normally the priest would suggest and will probably push for convalidation. This would require the normal marriage prep. But if your friend’s wife is truly hostile to the Church there are other options.

 

[Aramis]

A catholic friend of mine married to his wife in her church (Mainline Evangelical) and he is wondering whether or not his marriage is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. He has stop receiving communion because of this, but would love to go back to his sacramental life. His wife does not want to get her marriage blessed by the Roman Church because of certain misconceptions about the Church…Help, please!
hess

He needs his marriage recognized, and there is a process that doesn’t require his wife’s consent.

 

[SyCarl]

It would require a radical sanation from his bishop. This can be done if the spouse doesn’t consent to a convalditation ceremony.

 

[1ke]

A catholic friend of mine married to his wife in her church (Mainline Evangelical) and he is wondering whether or not his marriage is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. He has stop receiving communion because of this, but would love to go back to his sacramental life. His wife does not want to get her marriage blessed by the Roman Church because of certain misconceptions about the Church…Help, please!
hess

Well, if he doesn’t know that likely means he did not go through Catholic marriage prep and receive permission for a mixed marriage and permission to be married outside Catholic form. Had he done this, he would be aware that he had done all the required items and would not now be questioning it.

So, that said, he needs to go to his parish priest and lay it all out. It can be remedied. If neither has been married before, it’s quite straightforward. If either has been married before, more complex.

He is also correct that he should refrain from Communion until it is corrected, and he needs to also go to Confession. The priest will guide him.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

A catholic friend of mine married to his wife in her church (Mainline Evangelical) and he is wondering whether or not his marriage is recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. He has stop receiving communion because of this, but would love to go back to his sacramental life. His wife does not want to get her marriage blessed by the Roman Church because of certain misconceptions about the Church…Help, please!
hess

The question that must be answered is did he or his pastor during the Pre-marriage preparation process obtain the permission from his Bishop to Marry in her Community without a Catholic priest present? This would assume nothing else impeded the Marriage, like a prior Marriage. If not then his Marriage may need to be Convalidated in the Catholic Church in some manner.
He would need to speak with his pastor.