Questions on RCIA

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Sweetdarlin1983

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I have a couple questions about RCIA. I have for as long as I can remember wanted to be Catholic at one point I did start RCIA but my now ex husband out of the blue decided he didn’t want to do it with me when he found out the church would do a investigation in to his previous marriage. I ended up divorcing due to him pulling a knife on me and threating to kill my daughter and I. I am now remarried and still feel the pull to try to become Catholic. So here are my questions about RCIA. Would my husband have to attend with me seeing how he is not Catholic? Since my Ex husband was previously married would they still have to investigate ours? If they do is there any way he would find out where I am? Due to the extremely violent nature of my past with him this is my biggest fear of all. I don’t want to give up hope of becoming Catholic but right now it seems like it will never happen. Thank you all for answering in advance.
 
You do not have to bring your husband with you to RCIA. You can do that on your own. As far as investigations into your marriage that’s really a separate issue. Have you or your current husband ever been baptized Catholic?
 
I have never been baptized and as far as I know neither has my husband and my ex husband grew up Mormon
 
Your previous marriage is considered natural since your ex-husband wasn’t baptized. I don’t believe the Church would recognize your current marriage.

Your local bishop can dissolve the marriage, since neither you nor your ex-husband have been baptized.
 
Sweetdarlin1983 said:
I have a couple questions about RCIA. I have for as long as I can remember wanted to be Catholic at one point I did start RCIA but my now ex husband out of the blue decided he didn’t want to do it with me when he found out the church would do a investigation in to his previous marriage. I ended up divorcing due to him pulling a knife on me and threating to kill my daughter and I. I am now remarried and still feel the pull to try to become Catholic. So here are my questions about RCIA. Would my husband have to attend with me seeing how he is not Catholic? Since my Ex husband was previously married would they still have to investigate ours? If they do is there any way he would find out where I am? Due to the extremely violent nature of my past with him this is my biggest fear of all. I don’t want to give up hope of becoming Catholic but right now it seems like it will never happen. Thank you all for answering in advance.
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Welcome Home! The Holy Spirit is calling you into the Catholic Church. You really need to call and make an appointment with a priest who can help you sort out your marriage situation and explain the RCIA process to you. He will be the best one to advise you. You should do it soon, RCIA classes are starting up this time of the year, and there is a good chance you will receive the sacraments at Easter next year. Let us know how it is going. 👍
 
bben15 said:
Your previous marriage is considered natural since your ex-husband wasn’t baptized. I don’t believe the Church would recognize your current marriage.

Your local bishop can dissolve the marriage, since neither you nor your ex-husband have been baptized.
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A declaration of nullity is NOT the Bishop “dissolving” anything. The Church through the process ascertains wether the marriage was sacramental or not.

A sacramental marriage CAN be entered into, between Baptized Christians.
If the OP was NOT baptized then she cannot enter into Sacramental marriage.

Also If a Catholic “marries” to a non Catholic without seeking a “dispensation” from his/her Bishop then again this marriage is NOT Sacramental (Null and Void).
Other causes CAN make an otherwise Sacramental marriage also null, like for example lying when asked if the commitment was for life.

If these impediments are ascertained then Church simply declares that the “marriage” was null hence why it is called “annulment process”
The Church will NOT disolve a “valid Sacramental marriage”
 
JerryZ said:
A declaration of nullity is NOT the Bishop “dissolving” anything. The Church through the process ascertains wether the marriage was sacramental or not.

A sacramental marriage CAN be entered into, between Baptized Christians.
If the OP was NOT baptized then she cannot enter into Sacramental marriage.

Also If a Catholic “marries” to a non Catholic without seeking a “dispensation” from his/her Bishop then again this marriage is NOT Sacramental (Null and Void).
Other causes CAN make an otherwise Sacramental marriage also null, like for example lying when asked if the commitment was for life.

If these impediments are ascertained then Church simply declares that the “marriage” was null hence why it is called “annulment process”
The Church will NOT disolve a “valid Sacramental marriage”
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Since the OP and her ex-husband are not baptized, the marriage is natural, not sacramental. Under canon law, a natural marriage involving two unbaptized persons can be dissolved by the local bishop.
 
Sweetdarlin1983 said:
I have a couple questions about RCIA. I have for as long as I can remember wanted to be Catholic at one point I did start RCIA but my now ex husband out of the blue decided he didn’t want to do it with me when he found out the church would do a investigation in to his previous marriage. I ended up divorcing due to him pulling a knife on me and threating to kill my daughter and I. I am now remarried and still feel the pull to try to become Catholic. So here are my questions about RCIA. Would my husband have to attend with me seeing how he is not Catholic? Since my Ex husband was previously married would they still have to investigate ours? If they do is there any way he would find out where I am? Due to the extremely violent nature of my past with him this is my biggest fear of all. I don’t want to give up hope of becoming Catholic but right now it seems like it will never happen. Thank you all for answering in advance.
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Please don’t stop - you know that you are being called to this. Make an appointment to see a local priest. Let him sort out your previous marriage concerns. And welcome home.
 
Sweetdarlin1983 said:
So here are my questions about RCIA. Would my husband have to attend with me seeing how he is not Catholic? Since my Ex husband was previously married would they still have to investigate ours? If they do is there any way he would find out where I am? Due to the extremely violent nature of my past with him this is my biggest fear of all. I don’t want to give up hope of becoming Catholic but right now it seems like it will never happen. Thank you all for answering in advance.
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Your husband would not have to attend though he would certainly be welcome if he was interested.

Talk to your pastor about your marriage situation. Since your ex was previously married, he was not free to marry you. There may be paperwork involved and it’s best to get everything clarified well before it’s time for you to receive the sacraments. In other words, make an appointment with the pastor right away.

Is this the first marriage for your current husband?
 
bben15 said:
Since the OP and her ex-husband are not baptized, the marriage is natural, not sacramental. Under canon law, a natural marriage involving two unbaptized persons can be dissolved by the local bishop.
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  1. She cannot become a Catholic before her marital situation is resolved.
  2. Her ex-husband was previously married so her marriage to him would be deemed invalid.
 
This is my current husbands first marriage. I am hoping that this week the local church will get a hold of me to set up a meeting to go over everything and hopefully sort it all out so I can start down the path to become Catholic. My biggest fear is having to give up on it though. I also hope that my husband will also join me in this but even if he doesn’t I hope he can at least support my wishes. I want this so bad to the point I dream about it and think about it daily. I know it sounds silly or maybe it just sound silly to me since I never grew up with religion in my life that I would want something so bad.
 
Hello! You definitely should make an appointment with the priest at the Catholic Church near you. Don’t let the prior marriage situation stop you from inquiring; it can ALL be sorted out. The fact of your prior marriage alone will not prevent you from becoming a Catholic.
 
Phemie said:
  1. She cannot become a Catholic before her marital situation is resolved.
  2. Her ex-husband was previously married so her marriage to him would be deemed invalid.
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Oh, right. I didn’t see the part where she mentioned she was previously married. :o
 
Dear Sweetdarlin1983. Im so happy to hear about Your desire to join us in the catholic faith. The way that Im seeing it, it has to be the Holy spirit that are leading you towards the faith. I know how it feels (I am half way through the RCIA myself ), its like you fell absolutely hopelessly in love With the Church, for Me it is to finaly come home.
I cry often as Im thinking of it (tears of joy).

I dont know to much about the issues youre having, I just wanted say, Welcome Home my sister in christ. May God be With you and help you towards his Church.
 
I too am starting RCIA this year, and have divorce issues to deal with. I understand how frightening it can be. But at least so far in my experience, the priest wants to help, wants me to be able to succeed, and certainly wants me to end up Catholic!
Last week was our first class, and we spent the evening in introductions. Based on our class, I think you might be able to suggest to your husband that he could join you in the class, for his education, and not necessarily commit to the church this year. But then he could truly be learning the catechism and all about the Church, and support you and your decision. It is something you could suggest anyway. 🙂 you never know, perhaps after a couple of months he may see that he is ready to join too 😃
 
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