Marrying a protestant divorcee single parent (!)

[Onestepahead]

“At the end of the day, we’re willing to go some lengths to be married in a Catholic Church, but we’re not willing to put up with anything either.”. “To us it’s all about living well, doing good works and being happy.”

Paramedicman, marriage and Parenthood is 100% about self-sacrifice and self-giving, just like a strong faith life is about self-sacrifice and self-giving. Your entire post is about what YOU want and what the Catholic Church is required to do in order for you to allow them to host your wedding ceremony.

May your faith journey be blessed with great learning and wisdom!

 

[Vico]

…
Again, if anyone else has anything else to chime in with or opinions on our situation I’d love to hear them!

The greatest thing is that if you do form a valid marriage through the Catholic Church that it will be possible for you to obtain the grace specific to marriage to help you throughout your marriage. That can occur with a return to the sacraments for a person in a sacramental marriage. It makes the marriage stronger than a natural marriage. The marriage process should include some instruction so that you understand what the marriage covenant is: lifelong, exclusive, and granting marital rights, a total self donation.

 

[Wesrock]

There are things that vary by where you live, but the basics

(1) Her prior marriage would need to be annulled, or at least looked into, before you could marry her in the Catholic Church. Timelines can vary also by the circumstances of the prior marriage.

(2) She should not need to be Catholic for you to marry her in the Church. It’s not really an issue in the USA, but I can’t speak for what pressures you may face elsewhere.

(3) In the USA, some type of marriage preparation is usually required. Not sure what the processes are where you live.

(4) Unless you want to be a practicing Catholic, marrying in the Church may not be for you.

(5) Speak to a priest about your circumstances. This is absolutely the most important thing. He’s the only one who can truly give you the most accurate answers, especially for where you live, but in general, too.