Non-Baptized Marriage Baptism Abandoment Remarriage

[Waubninunk]

I had not been baptized prior to my marriage and was told that the marriage was therefore not valid in the eyes of the Catholic church that I had become a member of, unless I had a ceremony of convaladation, I believe it is called. Because he refused the church and had deceived me about having children and we no longer had marital relations after I entered the RCIA program and was accepted into the Catholic Church(Confirmed), I didn’t have the marriage validated. He later abandoned me and refused to settle and divorce even after 5 years of Collaborative Law. When I was volunteering in Africa, the church there, granted me a divorce and allowed me to marry an African. It was a church marriage, recognized there, but I am still trying to get a legal settlement and divorce here in Canada, so that we can marry legally.

 

[1ke]

I don’t see a question in your post. Did you have a specific question?

I had not been baptized prior to my marriage and was told that the marriage was therefore not valid in the eyes of the Catholic church that I had become a member of, unless I had a ceremony of convaladation, I believe it is called.

I’m not sure who told you this. It would be true only if the person you married was baptized as a Catholic and you married them outside the Church without a dispensation.

If you married a non Catholic civilly, then that marriage would have been a valid natural marriage.

Doesn’t sound like we have all the relevant facts as to why you would have needed a convalidation.

When I was volunteering in Africa, the church there, granted me a divorce and allowed me to marry an African. It was a church marriage, recognized there, but I am still trying to get a legal settlement and divorce here in Canada, so that we can marry legally.

Well, that’s a mess. I’m not sure why the ecclesiastical authority would have done that.

You need an attorney for your legal situation in Canada, and I suggest a canon lawyer to sort out your marriage in the church. All of this sounds very off. I suggest you reach out to stjosephcanonlaw.com for help if that’s what you are asking for.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

You need an attorney for your legal situation in Canada, and I suggest a canon lawyer to sort out your marriage in the church.

Yup. This is a pretty complicated situation. You’re going to need to get some lawyers, both canonical and civil, involved.

 

[Waubninunk]

My husband here in Canada, is Presbyterian. We were married in a First Baptist church. I found out later, that I had never been baptized and that my husband had intended to never have children - he had no use for them until they were old enough to serve him and that he didn’t want me or them to attend church. When I became Catholic, they told me that my marriage was not valid in the eyes of the Catholic church, because I had not been baptized before marriage. Later, when I explained my marriage to the African, in confession, the penance I was given, was to thank God.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

I guess I just don’t get what you’re asking. If you’re trying to make sure your marriage to the person you married in Africa is valid according to the Catholic Church, you need to talk to a canon lawyer. If you’re trying to figure out the legal status of your first marriage under Canadian law, you need to talk to a civil attorney.

 

[dollysro]

Hi and welcome! As others have asked, what is your question or concern?

 

[Waubninunk]

I am concerned with the validity of my African marriage and how I can make it valid if it is not.

 

[dollysro]

Valid by Canadian law or by the Catholic church?
I doubt anyone here could tell you but there are those who can guide you.
Best to seek professional guidance.

 

[1ke]

When I became Catholic, they told me that my marriage was not valid in the eyes of the Catholic church, because I had not been baptized before marriage.

Im sorry, I don’t know who told you this because it isn’t true.

I am concerned with the validity of my African marriage and how I can make it valid if it is not.

You need to speak to someone at the diocesan tribunal regarding your marital status.

 

[Anicette]

You need to speak to someone at the diocesan tribunal regarding your marital status.

To what diocesan tribunal? the one where she married in Africa? Or the one in Canada where she married in the baptist Church?

I am sorry, but in Africa canonical things may not be as strengh as in Canada. Seems that her first marriage’s paper was not even studied…

 

[1ke]

To what diocesan tribunal?

The one where she lives now, in Canada.