Marriage without Pre Cana

[Sbee0]

I know someone who had a convalidated marriage did not attend pre Cana - he didn’t want to bring his soon to be (non Catholic) wife as he believed she would give him grief about going and would back out of the convalidation. However he told the priest he did attend it (another parish) and their marriage was convalidated anyway. He is now divorced and is wondering if this is grounds for annulment.

Not sure what advice to give him. I know pre Cana is not required for validity but it certainly doesn’t sound like there was much validity to their bond to begin with if that is the reason why he didn’t want to go.

 

[TheLittleLady]

It is best he speak to his pastor or to the Tribunal.

Someone who is willing to begin marriage by lying to a priest is starting the marriage out on the wrong foot!

 

[Mtatum1958]

Not attending a marriage prep course, and lying to a priest, is not grounds for an annulment in my personal view.

The answer, like always, is to talk to a priest and/or the marriage tribunal for the Diocese.

 

[CilladeRoma]

Lying to a priest about fulfilling a marriage requirement can indeed be grounds for an annulment.
A marriage that is “annuled” means that that the marriage is not valid by Catholic standards, meaning did the couple do what the Chruch intends.
In this case, that is questionable, at best. So, while you may not see it as grounds for annulment, it does not mean that it isn’t.

 

[CatholicSpirit]

We must not be swift to judge an entire marriage based on this fact. A catholic marriage is wonderful considering the multitude of gay marriage and second and third marriages I’ve witnessed during my life on this planet.

I do agree that pre cana would have been a great addition and you are right to feel that way.