Lector at Invalid Marriage

[Phemie]

The Church DOES NOT across the board accept all non-Catholic Marriages as valid.

I thought all marriages of 2 non-Catholics were presumed valid until proof of the contrary? Unlike, say, the marriage of the Catholic in the OP.

 

[joandarc2008]

I don’t know the answer to this so please don’t anyone jump on me - but if you were to bring the situation to the bride and groom and you found that they had done this in ignorance and he were to agree to start the process of convalidation- would you still be able to read as to bless the ceremony. No one is perfect but sometimes all we can do is right our wrongs.

God bless,

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

The Church DOES NOT across the board accept all non-Catholic Marriages as valid.

OK Christian marriages registered in a Christian church. Which is what is happening here.

I am not trying to be difficult. You must admit the laws can be quite confusing. I think it is carrying restrictions too far, if a Catholic cannot read at the christian wedding of her cousin. I can’t believe that this would be a mortal sin.

Lux

 

[Stella_Matutina]

Update:

I found out today that a dispensation can be obtained in less than three weeks. So I’m hoping that I can pose this to my cousin to share with the groom so their marriage can be recognized and all of this chaos can be behind us. I’ll let you know what happens.

PS-

I am not trying to be difficult. You must admit the laws can be quite confusing. I think it is carrying restrictions too far, if a Catholic cannot read at the christian wedding of her cousin. I can’t believe that this would be a mortal sin.

That’s the thing- this is not a true “Christian” wedding because it is not a sacrament. It will be a “real and natural marriage” and binding according to the law- but not according to God.

 

[Lux_et_Tenebrae]

Hi again,

Just remember that your cousin does not share your belief. Her beliefs are all she knows, and she does consider her marriage pleasing to God.

Lux

 

[kage_ar]

PS-
That’s the thing- this is not a true “Christian” wedding because it is not a sacrament. It will be a “real and natural marriage” and binding according to the law- but not according to God.

Actually, the wedding of a free to marry baptized Catholic and a free to marry baptized non-Catholic that takes place without dispensation and outside of the Catholic Church would be an invalid marriage.

If they are both free to marry, baptized and recieve the dispensation it will be real and valid and sacramental.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Do you say the same of a marriage between 2 non-Catholics in their Church?

Lux

Yes, if either of them has attempted Marriage before or there is some other reason that would prevent a valid Marriage from taking place.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I thought all marriages of 2 non-Catholics were presumed valid until proof of the contrary? Unlike, say, the marriage of the Catholic in the OP.

Not correct, A Marriage between two non-Catholics when one was known to have attempted Marriage before and been divorced would NOT enjoy the presumption of validity.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

OK Christian marriages registered in a Christian church. Which is what is happening here.

I am not trying to be difficult. You must admit the laws can be quite confusing. I think it is carrying restrictions too far, if a Catholic cannot read at the christian wedding of her cousin. I can’t believe that this would be a mortal sin.

Lux

I never said that this would be necessarly a mortal sin, (it could be), I’m saying that it is a invalid attempt at a Sacrament, could clearly cause scandal, by implying acceptance of the situation.

 

[DavidJoseph]

I thought all marriages of 2 non-Catholics were presumed valid until proof of the contrary? Unlike, say, the marriage of the Catholic in the OP.

Yes, you are correct about that (assuming that neither party had been married and divorced previously). If one of them had been divorced, however, then no, the Catholic Church wouldn’t consider their marriages valid. That’s why, if one or both parties wanted to become Catholic, the previous marriage would have to be examined first to see if an annulment could be obtained.

All marriages between not-previously-married non-Catholics are presumed valid until or unless proven invalid, just as it is with Catholics.

 

[Sillara]

Update:

I found out today that a dispensation can be obtained in less than three weeks. So I’m hoping that I can pose this to my cousin to share with the groom so their marriage can be recognized and all of this chaos can be behind us. I’ll let you know what happens.

PS-
That’s the thing- this is not a true “Christian” wedding because it is not a sacrament. It will be a “real and natural marriage” and binding according to the law- but not according to God.

Actually, if your cousin and her fiance are both baptized, it will be not only a “real and natural marriage” but Sacramental as well.

And even “natural” marriages are binding in the sight of God.

 

[Stella_Matutina]

Actually, if your cousin and her fiance are both baptized, it will be not only a “real and natural marriage” but Sacramental as well.

And even “natural” marriages are binding in the sight of God.

Unfortunately this is not true. They are both baptized, both never married previously but the catch is that the groom is Catholic and did not receive permission to enter into a Mixed Marriage from the Church which is an impediment to marriage that would render it null. (If he weren’t Catholic, and Protestant, their marriage would be valid/sacramental.)

 

[Sillara]

Unfortunately this is not true. They are both baptized, both never married previously but the catch is that the groom is Catholic and did not receive permission to enter into a Mixed Marriage from the Church which is an impediment to marriage that would render it null. (If he weren’t Catholic, and Protestant, their marriage would be valid/sacramental.)

I was speaking in more general terms, but, yes, you are correct. Without a dispensation, a Catholic cannot validly marry a non-Catholic. I am sorry about your cousin’s situation.