Marriage question

[BrownR]

Ok, let’s say a previously baptized person from a Protestant tradition was interested in Catholicism. Their marriage was a civil marriage outside any Church. It is uncertain how supportive or agreeable the husband would be to converting to Catholicism, but he was baptized in the Episcopal tradition. What are this person’s options for becoming Catholic if they ever so desired?

1)Would she be required to “renew her vows” in the Catholic Church before being allowed into the Church herself? If so, would this require another traditional “marriage” ceremony or is this something that could be done in the office of a priest?

2)What if the husband was opposed to joining the Church? Is there any way for her to enter? I had read about some sort of process that can be done with or without the husband knowing and I forget the name or the link.

Thanks.

 

[1ke]

Ok, let’s say a previously baptized person from a Protestant tradition was interested in Catholicism. Their marriage was a civil marriage outside any Church. It is uncertain how supportive or agreeable the husband would be to converting to Catholicism, but he was baptized in the Episcopal tradition. What are this person’s options for becoming Catholic if they ever so desired?

As you are describing it, this is the first marriage for both of them. So, there is no impediment to the non-Catholic entering the Church.

This would not be the case if there were prior marriages for either party involved.

1)Would she be required to “renew her vows” in the Catholic Church before being allowed into the Church herself? If so, would this require another traditional “marriage” ceremony or is this something that could be done in the office of a priest?

No, there is no requriement to renew vows. Their non-Catholic, civil marriage is valid. If both parties are baptized the marriage is also Sacramental. There is no action required.

Canon Law covers this.

2)What if the husband was opposed to joining the Church? Is there any way for her to enter?

The other spouse has no say in their spouse becoming Catholic. It doesn’t matter if the spouse opposes the conversion, the other spouse may still become Catholic as far as the Catholic Church is concerned.

I had read about some sort of process that can be done with or without the husband knowing and I forget the name or the link.

You are thinking of radical sanation. This would not be required if things are as you describe.

However, the standard disclaimer applies: Talk to a priest, lay out all the facts, and they will guide you.

 

[hilde_the_dog]

And attending classes to learn about the Cathoic faith. Such as RCIA, which I did to join the church although baptized Calvinist since I had never had firost communion.

 

[BrownR]

Excellent, thanks for the replies. I think there was a great deal of misinformation when I presented this same question to the RCIA instructors. They seemed to insinuate that she (my sister) and her husband would need to renew their vows in the Church to have their marriage validated. One of her Catholic friends even went so far as to encourage her to keep the fact that she was married hidden if she entered an RCIA course because the Church would view her as “living in sin”. Needless to say this info has probably discouraged any further interest she had in the Church, so I wanted to be able to at least provide her with the correct information if she were to ever become more interested in joining.

Yes, both were validly baptized as I understand it, in the Presbyterian and Episcopalian traditions. This is also the first marriage for both. It was a civil marriage by a judge.

 

[1ke]

Excellent, thanks for the replies. I think there was a great deal of misinformation when I presented this same question to the RCIA instructors. They seemed to insinuate that she (my sister) and her husband would need to renew their vows in the Church to have their marriage validated.

It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that lay leaders of RCIA would be misinformed. It would be good to point out their error to them. They must deal with many people considering conversion-- all with complex marriage situations. An RCIA leader who is uninformed or misinformed can do a lot of damage.

One of her Catholic friends even went so far as to encourage her to keep the fact that she was married hidden if she entered an RCIA course because the Church would view her as “living in sin”.

Her friend is wrong, and quite ignorant. How embarrassing for all of us Catholics.

Needless to say this info has probably discouraged any further interest she had in the Church, so I wanted to be able to at least provide her with the correct information if she were to ever become more interested in joining.

Maybe you should share this new-found info with her regardless. If she is making her decision not to pursue the Catholic Church based on false information, that is very sad.

Yes, both were validly baptized as I understand it, in the Presbyterian and Episcopalian traditions. This is also the first marriage for both. It was a civil marriage by a judge.

If this is the case then there is no impediment to her entering the Church, no need for convalidation or radical sanation. They have a valid, sacramental marriage.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Ok, let’s say a previously baptized person from a Protestant tradition was interested in Catholicism. Their marriage was a civil marriage outside any Church. It is uncertain how supportive or agreeable the husband would be to converting to Catholicism, but he was baptized in the Episcopal tradition. What are this person’s options for becoming Catholic if they ever so desired?

1)Would she be required to “renew her vows” in the Catholic Church before being allowed into the Church herself? If so, would this require another traditional “marriage” ceremony or is this something that could be done in the office of a priest?

2)What if the husband was opposed to joining the Church? Is there any way for her to enter? I had read about some sort of process that can be done with or without the husband knowing and I forget the name or the link.

Thanks.

Two Protestants Married in a Civil ceremony if allowed by their respective churches to do so, if neither was Married before and otherwise capable of Marriage, would be validly Married.

Either Protestant could decide to become Catholic with out the other and the Marriage would be recognized with nothing else needed.

 

[duskyjewel]

Oh…my Lord! The damage ignorant Catholics do to the Church and its reputation! And when they are allowed to be in official positions… sigh

This is why there are so many people who hate the Church, not for what it teaches, but for what they THINK it teaches. I don’t know where I heard that, but wiser words were never spoken.

Excellent, thanks for the replies. I think there was a great deal of misinformation when I presented this same question to the RCIA instructors. They seemed to insinuate that she (my sister) and her husband would need to renew their vows in the Church to have their marriage validated. One of her Catholic friends even went so far as to encourage her to keep the fact that she was married hidden if she entered an RCIA course because the Church would view her as “living in sin”. Needless to say this info has probably discouraged any further interest she had in the Church, so I wanted to be able to at least provide her with the correct information if she were to ever become more interested in joining.

Yes, both were validly baptized as I understand it, in the Presbyterian and Episcopalian traditions. This is also the first marriage for both. It was a civil marriage by a judge.

 

[puzzleannie]

well I am a lay leader of RCIA and I would never venture to offer my opinion when you came to me for your initial interview. I would refer you immediately to the priest or deacon so any issues would be uncovered and addressed from the beginning. There are too many variables to consider, and OP leaves out a lot of info (some of which is NOMB). Once the deacon or priest interviews the candidate, he makes a referral for annulment, convalidation or whatever needs to happen, or indicates on the interview form that the candidate is validly married. That is all I need to know. Our diocesan interview form is used to document this process so no one can come back and say “no one ever told me.”