Methodists: What are the requirements and impediments for a valid Methodist wedding?

[Ben_Sinner]

What are the requirements and impediments for a couple to marry in the Methodist Church?

My friend was a non-baptized non-demonational who married a Lutheran in the Methodist Church.

They recently got divorced and the friend is trying to find out if that marriage was null.

The Lutheran also did not want to have a religious ceremony, but did so anyway because the bride did.

 

[jmcrae]

What are the requirements and impediments for a couple to marry in the Methodist Church?

My friend was a non-baptized non-demonational who married a Lutheran in the Methodist Church.

They recently got divorced and the friend is trying to find out if that marriage was null.

The Lutheran also did not want to have a religious ceremony, but did so anyway because the bride did.

If she doesn’t believe the tenets of the Methodist religion, why would it matter to her?

I’m not an expert on Methodism, but as far as I know, Roman Catholicism is the only religion in the world that has any concept of nullity regarding marriage. Most religions consider marriage to be a legal construction rather than a Sacrament, or a means of grace.

 

[KildareBrigid]

I was raised Methodist and have never heard of the faith having rules about remarriage (aside from the legal rules ensuring both parties are not legally married). If either parties want to get married again in the Methodist church the pastor may have reservations, but that is a pastor thing not a denomination thing.

 

[OraLabora]

If she doesn’t believe the tenets of the Methodist religion, why would it matter to her?

I’m not an expert on Methodism, but as far as I know, Roman Catholicism is the only religion in the world that has any concept of nullity regarding marriage. Most religions consider marriage to be a legal construction rather than a Sacrament, or a means of grace.

In civil law, a marriage can be annulled for non-consummation.

 

[1ke]

What are the requirements and impediments for a couple to marry in the Methodist Church?

There aren’t any.

My friend was a non-baptized non-demonational who married a Lutheran in the Methodist Church.

This is like your fourth thread about this.

They recently got divorced and the friend is trying to find out if that marriage was null.

A civil marriage can be declared null by a civil court.

If the person wants to determine freedom to marry in the Catholic Church, then she must petition the Catholic Church to examine the marriage. What the Methodist or Lutheran churches think about it is actually not relevant from the Catholic perspective. Lacking holy orders, they are not Churches and therefore have no authority in such a matter. In contrast, Orthodox, and others with valid Orders, do.

The Lutheran also did not want to have a religious ceremony, but did so anyway because the bride did.

Not relevant. When two non-Catholics marry civilly they marry validly. The clergyman in this case was the civil witness to the marriage.

 

[ltwin]

What are the requirements and impediments for a couple to marry in the Methodist Church?

The United Methodist Church has a Book of Discipline that details its doctrines and rules. It’s left up to the pastor of the particular church. He or she decides if the marriage can take place in that local church. Divorced and remarried people can still be members of UMC, but they may not be able to be ordained as clergy (this differs depending on which annual conference you are a member of).

But, the real question is, why does it matter what the Methodist Church believes? If neither party of the marriage is a Methodist, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that should logically concern her is what her current church believes about divorce and remarriage.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

So I remember speaking to the RCIA co-director about my previous marriage. And she asked “Well, how did the Anglicans deal with your divorce?” :ehh:

Ummmmm, they never even asked or cared lol. Could have divorced 20 times over there and i don’t think anybody would have cared much, tbh.

I thought everyone knew the Catholic Church is the only one declaring marriages invalid. Not even the Orthodox want to touch this situation.

 

[Ben_Sinner]

This is like your fourth thread about this.

Only second.

I don’t know why people keep saying I’ve been making a bunch of threads about this topic? They might be confusing the ones I made in the past about a Catholic marrying a Hindu.