Valid Marriage

[Saintlucy]

Is a marriage valid in the eyes of the Church if someone is in love with someone else at the time of the marriage? Also, if a young man marries just because the “young lady” is pregnant but he does not love her, is this a valid marriage? These weddings did not take place in the Catholic Church and the bridegroom was not baptised. Neither of them were Catholic. Where would a Catholic stand on this if they wished to marry?

Another thing. What is the Church’s teaching on marrying a man who has had a vasectomy?

 

[Danuska]

Is a marriage valid in the eyes of the Church if someone is in love with someone else at the time of the marriage?

Yes, the marriage is valid, the person has a free will after all. Plus, poeple fall in love and out of love.

Also, if a young man marries just because the “young lady” is pregnant but he does not love her, is this a valid marriage?

Well, in some situations I think that there would be this condition of ‘being forced’ into marriage by the circumstances, by parents, relatives - and it should be your own free will.

These weddings did not take place in the Catholic Church and the bridegroom was not baptised. Neither of them were Catholic. Where would a Catholic stand on this if they wished to marry?

In that case, their marriage might not be recognised by the Church… now if they are Catholic, it would be like they were marrying for the first time. Or I think so at least.

Another thing. What is the Church’s teaching on marrying a man who has had a vasectomy?

 

[tealblue]

Is a marriage valid in the eyes of the Church if someone is in love with someone else at the time of the marriage? Also, if a young man marries just because the “young lady” is pregnant but he does not love her, is this a valid marriage? These weddings did not take place in the Catholic Church and the bridegroom was not baptised. Neither of them were Catholic. Where would a Catholic stand on this if they wished to marry?

Another thing. What is the Church’s teaching on marrying a man who has had a vasectomy?

Are you asking if these two people are validly married? Or are you asking if they can validly marry in the Catholic church. The church teaches that ALL marriages are presumed valid until PROVEN otherwise by a marriage tribunal. Yes these indicators you mentioned are of invalid unions but its not for anyone to say. The church is ok with someone marrying a person who is fixed as long as you are not purposely seeking someone who can’t have kids.

 

[Saintlucy]

Thanks for your answer. What I am asking is if a Catholic woman were to marry this man would they have to seek an annulment of his previous marriage and would the church recognise it with all the impediments I have mentioned?

The woman concerned is menopausal so, I guess the fertility thing doesn’t count.

 

[1ke]

Thanks for your answer. What I am asking is if a Catholic woman were to marry this man would they have to seek an annulment of his previous marriage and would the church recognise it with all the impediments I have mentioned?

Yes, any prior marriage would have to be investigated. The church “recognizes” any marriage until the investigation is done and nullity is proven.

You must go talk to a priest to get the process started.