Marriage outside the catholic church

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chris12

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I have a question I’m hoping someone here can answer.

A couple I know have shown interest in joining the Catholic Church but have questions on how their marital status might cause problems. They were married in a protestant church, one was married before in a civil service and later divorced, the other was never married before.

It’s been my understanding that any previous marriage–civil or religious–outside the Catholic Church would not prevent him or her from becoming Catholic. Convert couples who wish it can have their marriage blessed by the Church.

Will the previous marriage cause problems for them?
 
Divorce and remarriage creates a difficulty. The prior marriage is presumed to be valid until determined otherwise by ecclesial authorities (eg. annulment). Before they can be confirmed, their marital status will have to be regularized in accordance with canon law. I recommend they make an appointment with the local parish pastor to discuss further.
 
A lot depends on whether the first marriage (the civil one) is found to be valid, in which case, the second marriage would not be valid. They would have to submit it to the tribunal and have it investigated. If the first marriage is found to be invalid, then they can be received into the Church. If, however, the first marriage is valid, then they cannot receive the sacraments unless they agree to live as brother and sister, since the second marriage would be an on-going state of adultery.

I know some people think if the couple isn’t Catholic then they don’t have to submit to the Church’s marriage laws. But the Church considers all marriages contracted by non-Catholics to be valid unless proven otherwise. It wouldn’t even have to be convalidated by the Church unless the couple wants it to.

They’ll have to talk to a priest to find out what steps they need to take.

God bless!
 
Thanks for your help. I’d already told them they need to speak to a priest to be sure about things.

I just wonder where I got the idea that marriage outside the church wouldn’t matter? I don’t remember reading or hearing anything specific on this before. Oh well.🤷
 
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