Questions about being married in Methodist church?

[Windfury]

Hello,

My husband and myself, got married, almost 4 years ago in his church. My husband is Methodist and I’m Catholic. Because of time constraints, we had no choice but to get married in his church. Now, we want to have our marriage blessed in a Catholic Church. Can that be done? Will the Catholic church recognize our marriage? Will we need to still go through those pre-wedding meetings…Does anyone have any information for me?
Thanks in advance!

 

[armywife]

Sure you can have your marriage blessed. But you will have to meet with the priest and discuss the reasons you married outside the church. You being the catholic, will have to re-enter the church by going to confession. I THINK although not sure, that that is all. During this time, you must realize that your marriage is not valid in the eyes of the church and that has consequences on how you and your husband live together.

 

[OneLife2live]

I went through the same thing…got married in a Methodist church. Went to that church for a while and now have come back to the Catholic church. We got our marriage convalidated, no problem. There may be a couple meetings with the priest, a couple forms to sign. He will need your baptismal certificate. Both yours and your spouse’s. He can give you the sacrament of reconcilliation. The convalidation will take place in the church, you need 2 witnesses present. You don’t need a huge ceremony, unless you want it. It can just be the two of you and the witnesses. The priest can offer you Communion, And you’ll get a certificate of holy matrimony! It was really quite simple for us and we’re glad we did it.

 

[puzzleannie]

in this diocese you are asked to go through the same 6 month waiting and preparation as an engaged couple, but you attend a convalidation conference rather than engaged encounter. I believe Foccus test is optional but most couples choose to use it because it is so helpful in looking at your relationship more deeply.

The time period is for many reason, scheduling use of the Church is one, but also time to gather necessary documents, usually baptismal certificates, make sure marriage is legal and there is no condition that would prevent it being valid - previous marriage and divorce etc. Also give us time to find out of parents or kids need other sacraments, get going with that preparation, 90% of adults who come for convalidation one or both need confirmation. We can begin the classes, then they can be confirmed after the marriage has been validated and they have returned to confession and Eucharist. If there is a real urgency, the waiting period can be waived. The main thing is to make sure all the conditions are met for a valid marriage, just as you would for an engaged couple.

the outpouring of grace into families where the couple recognizes the need to consecrate their marriage to Jesus in this way is fantastic, observable and a source of great strength and building up the Church.

 

[Spaggy88]

I need advise. I hope someone can help me. I am in the same boat. I was raised catholic and my fiancé is Methodist. My mom and grandparents are boycotting the ceremony and refusing to hear that I want the marriage blessed by the catholic church. I am heartbroken that they are not being supportive at all. They think I will be kicked out of the Catholic Church, is that true?

 

[Corki]

I need advise. I hope someone can help me. I am in the same boat. I was raised catholic and my fiancé is Methodist. My mom and grandparents are boycotting the ceremony and refusing to hear that I want the marriage blessed by the catholic church. I am heartbroken that they are not being supportive at all. They think I will be kicked out of the Catholic Church, is that true?

This is a very old thread. I think you are saying that you are planning to get married in your fiance’s church. However, by now you should have already met with your Catholic pastor for pre-marriage counseling. If not, do so as quickly as you can. It is possible to get a dispensation to have the marriage in a non-Catholic church and your priest can start that process for you. With the dispensation, the marriage is fully recognized by the Church.

Without the dispensation, your marriage would be invalid. It is not grounds for excommunication or getting “kicked out of the Church” but you would not be considered to be validly married and would not be able to receive the Sacraments.