Hello to all, I am starting RCIA next september 2014, I was married for less than two years from 2011 to 2013, my wife decided suddenly to end our marriage. My question is this: will this affect my chances of getting accepted into the Catholic church? I was hurt by the divorce, very much. Will it be considered a valid marriage in the eyes of God? I want a new life, and I am getting right with God and putting my life back on track, our marriage was a civil marriage, we are both non baptized. I do not want ever to have to deal with my ex-wife again, it was so easy for her to break our marriage even tho she knew that I loved her. Sorry if I sound little bit confusing, I am little bit emotional and tired. Will this previous marriage be a problem in case I want to be married again with a nice catholic girl? can this previous marriage be declared null and void by the Catholic church? Thank you. (please bare with me).
I believe the following to be correct but you should speak to a priest to verify.
A natural marriage (not both baptized) is presumed to be valid. So if you become Catholic through baptism, you will be a married Catholic.
To dissolve the natural bond of marriage existing between two non-baptized persons is called a
Pauline Privilege and is not a right to but can be requested and the bishop might grants the favor for the benefit of the Catholic party, if the situation satisfies the established criteria.
The non-baptized status must be proven beyond doubt usually by testimony from the non-baptized party and written verification by witnesses (parents, siblings, relatives or close friends). It must be shown that responsibilities incurred in the previous marriage (e.g. child support) have been and are being fulfilled by the person requesting the favor and that the person requesting the favor was not the major cause of the failure of the marriage.**Can. 1143 **
§1. A marriage entered into by two non-baptized persons is dissolved by means of the pauline privilege in favor of the faith of the party who has received baptism by the very fact that a new marriage is contracted by the same party, provided that the non-baptized party departs.
§2. The non-baptized party is considered to depart if he or she does not wish to cohabit with the baptized party or to cohabit peacefully without affront to the Creator unless the baptized party, after baptism was received, has given the other a just cause for departing.
**Can. 1144 **
§1. For the baptized party to contract a new marriage validly, the non-baptized party must always be interrogated whether:
1/ he or she also wishes to receive baptism;
2/ he or she at least wishes to cohabit peacefully with the baptized party without affront to the Creator.
§2. This interrogation must be done after baptism. …
