My Marriage is not Sacramental?

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I note that several contrary opinions above are ‘ipse dixit’ arguments; they consist simply in a series of baseless assertions, with no support. In effect, the poster is saying this is true because I say it is true, and that is false because I say that it is false.

My position has support from the documents that I cite above. In addition:

Concerning marriages between two unbaptized persons, this is a true type of marriage, called merely natural marriage. The Sacrament of marriage is both a natural marriage and a Sacrament.

However, magisterial documents and Canon Law use ‘valid’ to refer only to the Sacrament of Marriage. If anyone hold a contrary opinion, cite a document that uses ‘valid’ to describe a merely natural marriage.

Catholics cannot have a valid marriage that is not a Sacrament:

“for Catholics, a valid marriage can only be one that is celebrated according to the laws of the Church.” ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II TO THE TRIBUNAL OF THE ROMAN ROTA 18 January 1990

§2. For this reason, a valid matrimonial contract cannot exist between the baptized without it being by that fact a sacrament.

Canon law uses the term valid marriage only for the Sacrament of marriage.
Familiaris Consortio uses the term valid marriage only for the Sacrament of marriage.

The citation above from apologist Jim Blackburn carries no weight of its own, since it is not a magisterial source, and it does not present an argument to show that merely natural marriages are called ‘valid’.
 
read your own canon law citation, Ron, it applies to Catholics. OP is asking about non-Catholics, specifically non-baptized persons. You are not citing the law relevant to OP’s question.
 
Well, the reason why i’m asking is because, my fiance was baptised in the Espisc. Church and I have never been baptised! But would love to Join The Catholic Church. But i can;t convert because he doesn’t want to convert. And even If I am able to convert later, someone told me that i wouldn;t be able to observe Holy Communion.

Help!!!
 
mclr_1397 said:
Well, the reason why i’m asking is because, my fiance was baptised in the Espisc. Church and I have never been baptised! But would love to Join The Catholic Church. But i can;t convert because he doesn’t want to convert. And even If I am able to convert later, someone told me that i wouldn;t be able to observe Holy Communion.

Help!!!
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As I’ve proven so many times before, I’m no expert. But I don’t see why you won’t be allowed to convert and receive Holy Communion.
 
mclr_1397 said:
Well, the reason why i’m asking is because, my fiance was baptised in the Espisc. Church and I have never been baptised! But would love to Join The Catholic Church. But i can;t convert because he doesn’t want to convert. And even If I am able to convert later, someone told me that i wouldn;t be able to observe Holy Communion.

Help!!!
Click to expand...
Code: 
No one should convert because they are marrying a Catholic.   It has often happened, but today we try to discourage it.  The only reason for converting is because one is convinced of the truth of the Catholic Church.
The fact that your fiancee is not Catholic is not a problem. For a Catholic to marry a baptized non-Catholic requires a permission from the Bishop, but this is a fairly simple process. To marry an person who is not baptized is a bit more complicated but still fairly simple. A couple of people I work with in my parish are married to non-Catholics with no problem. My grandfather was unbaptized for many years; my mother and one of her brothers are his godparents. [My uncle enjoyed confusing people by telling them he was going to his godson’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. :D] It had no effect on my grandmother practicing her faith.

It would be best if you discuss this with a priest at a nearby Catholic Church. He can go into the details for your specific circumstances.
 
Ron_Conte said:
The above assertions are doctrinally false. Validity applies to Sacraments; there is no such thing as a valid non-Sacrament. Also, “Catholic marriage norms” do not allow for a merely natural marriage:
§2. For this reason, a valid matrimonial contract cannot exist between the baptized without it being by that fact a sacrament.

The Church does not teach that an invalid Marriage becomes a Sacrament upon the baptism of the unbaptized party. Nor does the Church teach that a marriage between a baptized and unbaptized person cannot be a Sacrament; such marriages are permitted by Canon Law (However, some of the theological questions are as yet unresolved).
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Hello Ron Conte,

Regarding your first point–there are many acts which can be valid or invalid which do not involve sacraments. For example, in the Code of Canon Law, a general law of the Church says:

Can. 124 §1. For the validity of a juridic act it is required that the act is placed by a qualified person and includes those things which essentially constitute the act itself as well as the formalities and requirements imposed by law for the validity of the act.

§2. A juridic act placed correctly with respect to its external elements is presumed valid.

This is what the Catholic Church would expect from anyone when it comes to performing the juridic act of entering into marriage–be a qualified person, perform the essentials, and observe the formalities of whatever law you are bound to follow. If anyone does this, the marriage is valid.

As far as your second point, it seems the canon you quote goes against your points.

Dan
 
I just want to know if the church will forgive all this and there really is a way to fix it. What if you had no idea because you were new to this catholic thing and so you made mistakes that cost you communion? Can it be forgiven or will the church and the people hold it over your head?
 
crosstalksister said:
I just want to know if the church will forgive all this and there really is a way to fix it. What if you had no idea because you were new to this catholic thing and so you made mistakes that cost you communion? Can it be forgiven or will the church and the people hold it over your head?
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I’m not sure what “all this” is that you’re talking about. An invalid marriage, perhaps? The best thing to do is talk with your pastor. Whether the problem is with your marriage or with something else, he’ll be able to advise you. And when it comes to being forgiven, the very fact that we have a sacrament for that purpose tells you how important it is.
 
“all this” would be marital mistakes and the reason I asked was because the conversation sounded a little testy. I was reminded of how open God is to forgive according to all I read in the Bible and then how difficult it seems to be to have that in church and with people. My question was sincere. I know marriage is serious but I also know not everyone makes perfect choices. Grace is what I love best about God.
 
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