Multiple marriages prior to protestant baptism but want to become Catholic AND RE-marry---Can I?

[Magdalen2013]

Thank you for the hope and encouragement, ProdigalSun!! I am feeling much more hopeful after reading many of these responses and am much less afraid of what the Catholic priest/pastor will think of me (by the way, how DO you refer to him, as a Pastor or a Priest?). Thanks!!!

I think “priest” is the preferred term, I’ve never heard another Catholic use “pastor.”

 

[ProdigalSun]

Thank you for the hope and encouragement, ProdigalSun!! I am feeling much more hopeful after reading many of these responses and am much less afraid of what the Catholic priest/pastor will think of me (by the way, how DO you refer to him, as a Pastor or a Priest?). Thanks!!!

Yeah don’t be worried about how the Priest will feel about you, he won’t even blink an eye. I bet his first response will be a smile and joy that you are coming home. If you think about it the church is more like a hospital than anything else. Christ instituted the church to help us reach heaven. It fixes us and strengthens us as we go through life. I tend to go to Confession once or twice (sometimes more) per month. Next to the Eucharist this is my favorite of all the sacraments.

You should refer to the Priest as “Father”. Pastor designates if he is the Priest in charge at any given Parish. Some parishes will have more than one priest. The Pastor will be the Priest in charge.

It may be helpful if you give us an Idea of where you are located or the diocese you are in. No doubt there is someone that can help you find a good and orthodox priest to talk with.

 

[Catholic1954]

You need to make an appointment with a wise and holy priest to discuss your marriage situation and your entry into the Church; he will be in the best position to advise you and start any paperwork (if needed) for the annulment process. The Holy Spirit is calling you into the Catholic Church; leave everything in His hands and all will be well! :grouphug:

 

[Mike0000]

Is the fact that both men were abusive and both were dishonest about their intention to have children in favor of annulment? Maybe I’ve misunderstood the grounds for annulment…

I’m not an expert by any means, but from what I’ve read regarding annulments, the answer would be yes. Marriages are supposed to be open to having children, so having a vasectomy, especially behind your back, and then for the other man to say he wanted children when he secretly didn’t, would show that they both entered the marriage NOT open to the idea of children, which could be grounds for an invalid marriage, and thus an annulment.