Marriage Question

[Carmelite1]

Suppose that a Catholic woman married a divorced man not in the Catholic Church. This first marriage took place in Europe after WWII - woman European, man American soldier. That man is deceased and woman married a second husband (divorced). This woman has gone to the Episcopalean Church of her first husband since her first marriage.

This woman now would like to return to the Catholic Church. How can that be accomplished. Would she need to leave her second husband? He is anti-Catholic and would probably object to any attempt of her’s to go back to the Church.

 

[Phemie]

Suppose that a Catholic woman married a divorced man not in the Catholic Church. This first marriage took place in Europe after WWII - woman European, man American soldier. That man is deceased and woman married a second husband (divorced). This woman has gone to the Episcopalean Church of her first husband since her first marriage.

This woman now would like to return to the Catholic Church. How can that be accomplished. Would she need to leave her second husband? He is anti-Catholic and would probably object to any attempt of her’s to go back to the Church.

The first marriage is irrelevant since the man is dead.

The second marriage is also invalid, for two reasons: she married outside the Church and she married a man who wasn’t free to marry. How she would proceed depends on whether or not the second husband’s first wife is still alive.

If she’s dead then it’s a matter of a good confession and a convalidation (simple or radical sanation if he balks at the idea that he’s not already married to her).

If she’s still alive, he would have to petition for a decree of nullity (get an annulment). Doesn’t sound like the type of guy who’d be willing to do that if you say he wouldn’t want her to return to the Church.

 

[FAB]

The first marriage is irrelevant since the man is dead.

The second marriage is also invalid, for two reasons: she married outside the Church and she married a man who wasn’t free to marry. How she would proceed depends on whether or not the second husband’s first wife is still alive.

If she’s dead then it’s a matter of a good confession and a convalidation (simple or radical sanation if he balks at the idea that he’s not already married to her).

If she’s still alive, he would have to petition for a decree of nullity (get an annulment). Doesn’t sound like the type of guy who’d be willing to do that if you say he wouldn’t want her to return to the Church.

To add, the issue is the second husband is divorced. In the eyes of the church he is still married to that wife unless she has also passed away.

That marriage must be nullified if she is still alive. I agree that doesn’t sound possible if her current husband is anti-Catholic. She can though attend and take part in the church, but not take the sacraments including the Eucharist. Wit Time and prayer it is possible for the Holy Spirit to change the heart of her husband. I have worked with a woman in a similar case for a woman for over a year, her husband finally relented and has agreed to go through the annulment process. She need to trust in God and all will be done for her good in His time.
Dcn Frank

 

[1ke]

Suppose that a Catholic woman married a divorced man not in the Catholic Church. This first marriage took place in Europe after WWII - woman European, man American soldier. That man is deceased and woman married a second husband (divorced). This woman has gone to the Episcopalean Church of her first husband since her first marriage.

This woman now would like to return to the Catholic Church. How can that be accomplished. Would she need to leave her second husband? He is anti-Catholic and would probably object to any attempt of her’s to go back to the Church.

Such a woman should not delay in going to talk to the local Catholic pastor.

There are many factors, but at their age which-- I assume is going to be late 70s or above-- even if the marriage cannot be regularized (for example if the man’s first wife is still alive and he is unwilling to get a decree of nullity) it is possible to return to the sacraments if they are living in continence (yes, I know that many in their later years are active sexually, but many are not).

She should not delay in talking to her local priest.

 

[FAB]

it is possible to return to the sacraments if they are living in continence (yes, I know that many in their later years are active sexually, but many are not).

.

Yes this is possible, Make a commitment to live only as a brother and sister.