Remarriage Question

[KJEZ]

If two Protestants get married and then get divorced. While split, one comes to the Catholic faith. Assuming reconciliation happens, do they need to be remarried in the Catholic church? Strictly hypothetical question. Thanks

 

[GreyWings]

If two Protestants get married and then get divorced. While split, one comes to the Catholic faith. Assuming reconciliation happens, do they need to be remarried in the Catholic church? Strictly hypothetical question. Thanks

I’m not really sure, but probably, if one of the partners identifies as Catholic and wants to remarry in the Catholic Church. Usually there is still pre-cana which is typically six months. Talk to a priest…

 

[KJEZ]

like I said Hypothetical - what is pre-cana? So would that mean the ex would have to convert to be married in the church? Or would it be OK for them to remarry outside? Thanks

 

[phil19034]

If two Protestants get married and then get divorced. While split, one comes to the Catholic faith. Assuming reconciliation happens, do they need to be remarried in the Catholic church? Strictly hypothetical question. Thanks

To be clear, your hypothetical example is:

1. two protestants (man and woman) who were never baptized Catholic or Confirmed get married while still protestant
2. they divorce
3. one becomes Catholic (Baptized and/or Confirmed)
4. then the divorced couple reconcile & remarry according to the State

If this is what you meant, then no… they would not need to remarry in the Catholic Church because the Catholic Church would assume that their original marriage was always valid. The Church does not recognize divorce, even for non-Catholics.

But the Catholic would most likely need to go to Confession. But no matter what, it would be highly advisable for the Catholic to make sure he is letting his pastor and/or spiritual director know what is going on in his/her life.

NOTE: however, if the new Catholic had his/her marriage annulled before they reconciled, then they would need to marry in the Catholic Church or receive a dispensation to get married outside the Church.

God Bless

 

[JerryZ]

If two Protestants get married and then get divorced. While split, one comes to the Catholic faith. Assuming reconciliation happens, do they need to be remarried in the Catholic church? Strictly hypothetical question. Thanks

The Church recognizes 2 types of marriages.
Natural marriage: Is the name given in Catholic canon law to the covenant “by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring”, and is distinguished from
Sacramental or Christian marriage, in which the two parties involved are baptised.

Since only the baptized can receive the other sacraments, the marriage of someone who has accepted Christian beliefs but has not been baptized is non-sacramental. Similarly, the marriage of a person whose baptism the Catholic Church judges to be invalid is a non-sacramental natural marriage. Examples of such invalid baptisms are those of the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

A marriage of two baptized Protestants, even if the church or churches they belong to and they themselves deny that marriage is a sacrament, and even if they contract marriage only civilly and not in church (they are not bound to observe the form that is obligatory for Catholics), is a sacramental marriage, not a merely natural marriage.

In your hipotetical the marriage was sacramental and valid. If the couple subsequently reconciled in the eyes of the Church they are still married.
The Church does not recognize divorce. In fact there is no such possibility in the Catholic Church.
I recommend that you read all about Sacramental Marriage here:
catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Marriage.htm

…

 

[KJEZ]

Thanks all- appreciate the responses!

 

[PaulfromIowa]

If two Protestants get married and then get divorced. While split, one comes to the Catholic faith. Assuming reconciliation happens, do they need to be remarried in the Catholic church? Strictly hypothetical question. Thanks

Protestant marriages are considered valid Christian marriages by the Catholic Church, assuming that both are baptized. So the answer to your question is no, they do not need to be remarried if one or both become Catholic.

 

[GreyWings]

It’s been mentioned that the Church does “not recognize divorce” but there IS the issue of the validity of marriage, which is why Catholics get annulments. Catholics marrying Catholics get annulments, Catholics marrying Protestants gets annulments, the Tribunal hears it all.

Pre-cana is preparation for the Sacrament of marriage. It typically takes six months. Catholics recognize marriage as a Sacrament. If two people wish to remarry, one a Protestant, one a convert Catholic, and they hypothetically want to reconcile, then it really depends. There are some cases where everything isn’t so cut and dry and there may be cases where things may be much easier. It just depends on the situation.

 

[Kelfa28]

I’m confused.

If one of the Protestants converted to Catholicism…before or after or even if they didn’t get divorced at all…wouldn’t they need to get their marriage con-validated in order for it to remain valid?

Wouldn’t that mean that this marriage would need to be blessed by a Priest in order for it to be valid?

How would the marriage still be valid if someone converted to Catholicism?

They would need a con-validation for it to continue to be valid if someone was baptized Catholic.

It is true that the Church recognized two non-baptized individuals as having a valid marriage but only until someone converts to Catholicism and then they would need a con-validation or a wedding within the Church.

It’s my understanding of this teaching that this couple would need a Church wedding.

 

[Phemie]

I’m confused.

If one of the Protestants converted to Catholicism…before or after or even if they didn’t get divorced at all…wouldn’t they need to get their marriage con-validated in order for it to remain valid?

Wouldn’t that mean that this marriage would need to be blessed by a Priest in order for it to be valid?

How would the marriage still be valid if someone converted to Catholicism?

They would need a con-validation for it to continue to be valid if someone was baptized Catholic.

It is true that the Church recognized two non-baptized individuals as having a valid marriage but only until someone converts to Catholicism and then they would need a con-validation or a wedding within the Church.

It’s my understanding of this teaching that this couple would need a Church wedding.

No. The Catholic Church recognizes as valid the marriage of non-Catholics as long as they are no impediments like a previous marriage. A marriage that is valid doesn’t suddenly become invalid if one converts to Catholicism.

A convalidation makes an invalid marriage valid. A convalidation is a marriage ceremony. A new Catholic might request a “Nuptial Blessing” but that’s exactly what it’s called, a blessing not a new marriage ceremony.

 

[Convert_in_99]

I’m confused.

If one of the Protestants converted to Catholicism…before or after or even if they didn’t get divorced at all…wouldn’t they need to get their marriage con-validated in order for it to remain valid?

Wouldn’t that mean that this marriage would need to be blessed by a Priest in order for it to be valid?

How would the marriage still be valid if someone converted to Catholicism?

They would need a con-validation for it to continue to be valid if someone was baptized Catholic.

It is true that the Church recognized two non-baptized individuals as having a valid marriage but only until someone converts to Catholicism and then they would need a con-validation or a wedding within the Church.

It’s my understanding of this teaching that this couple would need a Church wedding.

Protestant marriages are assumed to be valid by the Catholic Church. If one spouse after they are already married then converts to Catholicism, they do not need co validation as their marriage was presumed valid (since it was between two non-catholics) at the time they made their vows.

If someone, already Catholic at the time of the marriage, decides to marry a Protestant, THEN they would need to seek special permission from the bishop.

 

[1ke]

If one of the Protestants converted to Catholicism…before or after or even if they didn’t get divorced at all…wouldn’t they need to get their marriage con-validated in order for it to remain valid?

No, absolutely not.

A valid marriage is just that, valid. A convalidation makes an *invalid *marriage *valid *through the exchange of consent. One cannot “make valid” an already valid marriage.

Wouldn’t that mean that this marriage would need to be blessed by a Priest in order for it to be valid?

No.

How would the marriage still be valid if someone converted to Catholicism?

I don’t understand what you mean by “still be valid”. It’s either valid or it isn’t.

If it’s valid, it’s valid until one of the spouses dies. That’s the meaning of valid.

They would need a con-validation for it to continue to be valid if someone was baptized Catholic.

No, absolutely not.

It is true that the Church recognized two non-baptized individuals as having a valid marriage but only until someone converts to Catholicism and then they would need a con-validation or a wedding within the Church.

I’m not sure where you’ve gotten this idea, but it is not accurate at all.

It’s my understanding of this teaching that this couple would need a Church wedding.

No, they are already married.

 

[phil19034]

I’m confused.

If one of the Protestants converted to Catholicism…before or after or even if they didn’t get divorced at all…wouldn’t they need to get their marriage con-validated in order for it to remain valid?

Wouldn’t that mean that this marriage would need to be blessed by a Priest in order for it to be valid?

How would the marriage still be valid if someone converted to Catholicism?

They would need a con-validation for it to continue to be valid if someone was baptized Catholic.

It is true that the Church recognized two non-baptized individuals as having a valid marriage but only until someone converts to Catholicism and then they would need a con-validation or a wedding within the Church.

It’s my understanding of this teaching that this couple would need a Church wedding.

No, this is not needed. The Church recognizes two sacraments performed out side the Church: baptism and matrimony.

Anyone can validly baptize when done using the Trinitarian formula and matrimony is administered by the couple themselves.

The Church recognizes all marriages as valid unless there is reason to doubt the validly. Con-validations are typically required when Catholic marry outside the Church without dispensation. This is because when a Catholic marries outside the Church, it casts doubt that the Catholic understands the Churches teachings regarding the sacrament, which is why lack of form marriages are invalid, unless made valid via a Radical Sanation.

 

[Phemie]

The Church recognizes all marriages as valid unless there is reason to doubt the validly. Con-validations are typically required when Catholic marry outside the Church without dispensation. This is because when a Catholic marries outside the Church, it casts doubt that the Catholic understands the Churches teachings regarding the sacrament, which is why lack of form marriages are invalid, unless made valid via a Radical Sanation.

Or by a simple convalidation, as in, a new wedding ceremony.

 

[phil19034]

Or by a simple convalidation, as in, a new wedding ceremony.

yes, sort of.

For anyone interested: let’s assume you have been in an invalid marriage for 20 years (lack of form).

The Radical Sanation makes the original invalid marriage valid retroactively, meaning you are now married in the Church for the last 20 years.

The convalidation means you are getting married in the Church at that moment in time, meaning you are newly weds in the Church.

For the convalidation, the only marriage date the Church has on record is the date of the convalidation, which is when you marriage started as far as the Church is concerned.

But with the Radical Sanation, the Church has both dates on record… the date of your invalid marriage (which is now valid) and the date of the Radical Sanation.

God Bless

 

[Phemie]

Note that the Church says that a radical sanation is not to be granted except for grave cause, simple convalidation being the norm for validating a marriage. A radical sanation can be granted without the knowledge of either or both parties.Can. 1164 A sanation can be granted validly even if either or both of the parties do not know of it; nevertheless, it is not to be granted except for a grave cause.

 

[phil19034]

Note that the Church says that a radical sanation is not to be granted except for grave cause, simple convalidation being the norm for validating a marriage. A radical sanation can be granted without the knowledge of either or both parties.Can. 1164 A sanation can be granted validly even if either or both of the parties do not know of it; nevertheless, it is not to be granted except for a grave cause.

Yes, there has to be a reason.

For me, I received a Radical Sanation because my non-Catholic wife was not willing to go through a Convalidation. She believed that our original consent was enough and didn’t want anything to do with it.