Marriage Question

[PeteZaHut]

I know that for a valid marriage to take place, it must be between two baptized persons.

I know someone who is catholic, but he is marrying a non-catholic. They are both baptized, but the wedding will not be in a catholic church and it will not be performed by a catholic priest. The priest will be there, though. What are the rules when it comes to situations like this?

 

[puzzleannie]

I know that for a valid marriage to take place, it must be between two baptized persons.

I ?

that is not true, didn’t you post this identical question a short time ago or am I having deja vu all over again.

a baptized Catholic is required to conform to Church laws on marriage and is forbidden to marry a non-Catholic without the required permissions and dispensations from the bishop, but if those are obtained the marriage is valid. Any two non-Catholic persons who are otherwise free to marry can contract a valid marriage, if it is witnessed by anyone legally permitted to do so, even a civil official. If they are both baptized, the marriage is also sacramental. Only Catholics are bound by Catholic laws, but the non-Catholic who is marrying a Catholic must be informed of the promises made by the Catholic, and must have the intent to accept all that marriage demands including being receptive to having children.

 

[elzoro]

what happens if you get validly married by the state, but you find out that your wife had been validly married by the Church and her marraige was not annulled? Would the marriage by the state be recognized by the Church? Would it be rec ognized by the state?

 

[puzzleannie]

the state is not concerned with Catholic marriage laws, other than assuring the priest or deacon is a legal witness to marriage.

A Catholic who has been validly married and divorced is not free to marry, or even to date, because she is still married. A civil divorce does not affect her status, although it is not a sin to divorce if necessary because of abuse or to secure her rights and those of her children. If she wishes to remarry she must petition the canon law tribunal of the diocese to investigate the first marriage and issue a judgment as to its validity. If they find it is invalid they will issue a decree of nullity and she will be free to marry again.

if you good folks will just search on key word marriage on this forum you will find excellent threads covering your questions in more detail, save yourself some time and trouble.

 

[elzoro]

So, a person can be legally married by the state, but the marriage would not be recognized by the Church. Right? C Could that person, therefore, if he wanted to, pursue a priestly vocation? I mean if he isn’t validly married according to the Church,right??

 

[awedbyhim]

When my husband and I were preparing to get married , I was not Catholic ( I joined the church this past easter ) Father told us we could have my pastor conduct the marriage ceremony provided we had all the proper waivers ( from the archdioces) and a Catholic priest witnessed . So it sounds like your friends are ok . Debbie

 

[puzzleannie]

So, a person can be legally married by the state, but the marriage would not be recognized by the Church. Right? C Could that person, therefore, if he wanted to, pursue a priestly vocation? I mean if he isn’t validly married according to the Church,right??

anyone who has been married or attempted marriage is barred from the priesthood, unless he obtains a dispensation (as in the case of widows who become priests, for example, there are other examples). yes, with the proper dispensations, a Catholic can marry a non-Catholic in a non-Catholic church, even with a non-Catholic witness. Unless you know for definite absolute rock bottom sure, don’t make assumptions and judgments about other people’s situation.

 

[Jesusstreet]

I know that for a valid marriage to take place, it must be between two baptized persons.

I know someone who is catholic, but he is marrying a non-catholic. They are both baptized, but the wedding will not be in a catholic church and it will not be performed by a catholic priest. The priest will be there, though. What are the rules when it comes to situations like this?

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1640 Thus the marriage bond has been established by God himself in such a way that a marriage concluded and consummated between baptized persons can never be dissolved. This bond, which results from the free human act of the spouses and their consummation of the marriage, is a reality, henceforth irrevocable, and gives rise to a covenant guaranteed by God’s fidelity. The Church does not have the power to contravene this disposition of divine wisdom.
1660 The marriage covenant, by which a man and a woman form with each other an intimate communion of life and love, has been founded and endowed with its own special laws by the Creator. By its very nature it is ordered to the good of the couple, as well as to the generation and education of children. Christ the Lord raised marriage between the baptized to the dignity of a sacrament (cf. CIC, can. 1055 § 1; cf. GS 48 § 1).

 

[1ke]

I know that for a valid marriage to take place, it must be between two baptized persons.

This is incorrect. Non-baptized persons can also enter into *valid *marriages. They are called good and natural marriages. *Sacramental *marriages can only occur between two batpized persons.

I know someone who is catholic, but he is marrying a non-catholic. They are both baptized, but the wedding will not be in a catholic church and it will not be performed by a catholic priest. The priest will be there, though. What are the rules when it comes to situations like this?

A Catholic can receive permission to marry a non-Catholic, and a dipsensation from the bishop to marry outside the Catholic form of marriage. If a Catholic does so, their marriage to a baptized non-Catholic is valid and sacramental. The priest is a witness to the marriage.

 

[1ke]

what happens if you get validly married by the state, but you find out that your wife had been validly married by the Church and her marraige was not annulled?

A person is this situation would be in a civilly legal marriage. This person would be in an invalid marriage and party to adultery from the Church’s standpoint. They would be committing a mortal sin.

Would the marriage by the state be recognized by the Church?

It is recognized that it exists civilly. It is an invalid marriage according to Catholic Canon Law.

Would it be rec ognized by the state?

Yes

 

[1ke]

So, a person can be legally married by the state, but the marriage would not be recognized by the Church. Right?

Yes,

C

Why does this confuse you?

Could that person, therefore, if he wanted to, pursue a priestly vocation? I mean if he isn’t validly married according to the Church,right??

A person in this situation would, after procuring a civil divorce, have to have their prior marriage declared null by the Catholic Church. They would then have to meet the canon law criteria for the priesthood.