Protestants and Sacramental Marriages

[Catholic_Dude]

While I know Protestants (if baptized) have not just valid marriages, but in fact Sacramental, I and a few others had a question:

If a sacramental marriage requires both parties to affirm the permanence of marriage (among other things, like the openness to children) - and yet many Protestants might deny those things (eg accept divorce) - then wouldn’t that make a good many Protestant marriages be invalid?

I’m pretty sure when Protestants come into the Church and have their marriages blessed they are informed about these requirements, but otherwise it looks like most would be oblivious to these requirements (if not originally against them).

 

[diggerdomer]

Outstanding question.

I think we really need a canon lawyer here.

My understanding (fwiw, which I’m the first to say may be nothing!) is that first off a “sacramental” marriage, as defined by they Catholic Church, is a valid marriage between two Christians.

Given that…if a non-Catholic Christian couple enters into full communion with the Catholic Church, I tend to think their marriage remains valid, and of course thus sacramental.

But I’m really not sure and if anyone else has thoughts I’d love to learn.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

While I know Protestants (if baptized) have not just valid marriages, but in fact Sacramental, I and a few others had a question:

If a sacramental marriage requires both parties to affirm the permanence of marriage (among other things, like the openness to children) - and yet many Protestants might deny those things (eg accept divorce) - then wouldn’t that make a good many Protestant marriages be invalid?

I’m pretty sure when Protestants come into the Church and have their marriages blessed they are informed about these requirements, but otherwise it looks like most would be oblivious to these requirements (if not originally against them).

Protestants seeking union with the Catholic Church are catechized on the Catholic understanding of Marriage. A person would need to examine the wording of the Vows in each specific case. It is very wrong to view this as a blanket process each case needs to be looked into.

 

[1ke]

While I know Protestants (if baptized) have not just valid marriages, but in fact Sacramental, I and a few others had a question:

If a sacramental marriage requires both parties to affirm the permanence of marriage (among other things, like the openness to children) - and yet many Protestants might deny those things (eg accept divorce) - then wouldn’t that make a good many Protestant marriages be invalid?

Maybe.

I’m pretty sure when Protestants come into the Church and have their marriages blessed they are informed about these requirements, but otherwise it looks like most would be oblivious to these requirements (if not originally against them).

Protestants entering the Catholic Church do not have their marriages blessed-- if by blessed you mean convalidated. Their marriages are already valid.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

What does “convalidated” mean? I thought it meant you had to present yourself before a priest and affirm the Church’s view on marriage and by this the priest gives a blessing to that marriage.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

What does “convalidated” mean? I thought it meant you had to present yourself before a priest and affirm the Church’s view on marriage and by this the priest gives a blessing to that marriage.

Convalidation makes an invalid Marriage valid, Sometimes a new exchange of vows is required, or renewal of consent, it depends on why the Marriage is thought to be invalid in the first place.

A Blessing of a valid protestant Marriage can be requested, a Nuptual Blessing can sometimes be given and sometimes a “Renewal of Vows” NOT a new exchange of vows takes place.