Marriage status of 2 non-Catholics if 1 converts

[puzzleannie]

situation: young man was baptized, raised Methodist, has not practiced faith since college, young lady is Jewish, but has dropped all religious observance, but very much identifies herself culturally as a Jew. They marry in a civil ceremony. Years later, after several children who are considered Jewish by virtue of their mother, who has since returned to observance and joined a Reform synagogue. They also have 2 adopted children who were baptized Catholic, and keep their promise to raise them Catholic, parochial school etc. Through them, the father finds his faith and becomes Catholic. Question: what steps must be taken to have their marriage recognized or blest by the Church. The wife would be opposed to participation in any Catholic religious ceremony whatever.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

puzzleannie:

situation: young man was baptized, raised Methodist, has not practiced faith since college, young lady is Jewish, but has dropped all religious observance, but very much identifies herself culturally as a Jew. They marry in a civil ceremony. Years later, after several children who are considered Jewish by virtue of their mother, who has since returned to observance and joined a Reform synagogue. They also have 2 adopted children who were baptized Catholic, and keep their promise to raise them Catholic, parochial school etc. Through them, the father finds his faith and becomes Catholic. Question: what steps must be taken to have their marriage recognized or blest by the Church. The wife would be opposed to participation in any Catholic religious ceremony whatever.

The Marriage would be considered valid but not Sacramental by the Church. Because in order for a Marriage to be a Sacrament BOTH people must be Baptized Christians.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Br. Rich is correct, but his answer does not seem to address the question you asked (at least, not directly). The answer is that they don’t have to do anything. They have a valid marriage now and the fact that one becomes Catholic does not alter that.

Deacon Ed

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

When you say the marriage is valid does that mean the Church recognises it.Or does it have to be sacramental to have it recognised.God Bless

 

[puzzleannie]

Br. Rich SFO:

The Marriage would be considered valid but not Sacramental by the Church. Because in order for a Marriage to be a Sacrament BOTH people must be Baptized Christians.

so can the new Catholic receive communion, if the marriage is not sacramental?

 

[Ham1]

The Church recognizes Sacramental marriage as well as natural marriage. In this case, your friend is in a perfectly valid natural marriage. The only difference between the sacramental marriage and the natural marriage is that the sacramental rises to the level of sacrament and confers sanctifying grace on the spouses. The Church acknowledges that non-catholics may enter into valid natural marriages as witnessed by a justice of the peace.

Yes, the new Catholic may certainly receive communion assuming he is otherwise disposed. His marriage is valid and is not an issue.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

puzzleannie:

so can the new Catholic receive communion, if the marriage is not sacramental?

Of course. This assumes that nothing else stands in the way of the Marriage being a valid non-Sacramental union, like a previous Marriage, lack of consent etc. The Marriage would be assumed valid until something is discovered otherwise.