Was her marriage valid?

[jim11115]

Hi,
I have a question that I really need answered. I used to go out with a girl (catholic) she later met someone else and married him in a civil ceremony (on a beach, under a tree)

A few years later I found out that she had broken up with him, I think they are now divorced. My question is; since this girl was never married in a church or by a priest - could I now marry her in a catholic ceremony.

There is a lot more to this story, as 13 years have gone by and a lot of water has passed under the bridge, but the point of it is - was her marriage valid in the eyes of the church?

Thanks, Jim

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

I see no reason why not. Check with your diocese office to be sure, but since no official sacrament was given the first time, an annulment is probably not necessary.

 

[Phemie]

I see no reason why not. Check with your diocese office to be sure, but since no official sacrament was given the first time, an annulment is probably not necessary.

According to our bishop, if she has her marriage certificate and her divorce papers usually all that is required is that the priest note that the first marriage was invalid due to lack of canonical form and go from there. Tribunal need not be involved.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hi,
I have a question that I really need answered. I used to go out with a girl (catholic) she later met someone else and married him in a civil ceremony (on a beach, under a tree)

A few years later I found out that she had broken up with him, I think they are now divorced. My question is; since this girl was never married in a church or by a priest - could I now marry her in a catholic ceremony.

There is a lot more to this story, as 13 years have gone by and a lot of water has passed under the bridge, but the point of it is - was her marriage valid in the eyes of the church?

Thanks, Jim

Her marriage would be submitted to a Tribunal of the Church for them to decide. She should be encouraged to do so if she is in fact divorced. It may not require a full annulment process.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

According to our bishop, if she has her marriage certificate and her divorce papers usually all that is required is that the priest note that the first marriage was invalid due to lack of canonical form and go from there. Tribunal need not be involved.

In our diocese the Tribunal has to review the forms and sign off - just a check for accuracy. It is routine and only takes a couple of weeks.

 

[whatevergirl]

Hi,
I have a question that I really need answered. I used to go out with a girl (catholic) she later met someone else and married him in a civil ceremony (on a beach, under a tree)

A few years later I found out that she had broken up with him, I think they are now divorced. My question is; since this girl was never married in a church or by a priest - could I now marry her in a catholic ceremony.

There is a lot more to this story, as 13 years have gone by and a lot of water has passed under the bridge, but the point of it is - was her marriage valid in the eyes of the church?

Thanks, Jim

You say that you ‘think’ she is divorced…please make sure before you consider marrying her!

In all seriousness, if she was not married Sacramentally, then her marriage was not valid to begin with, and she should be free to date/marry others. But, I agree with the posters who said that it might need to be analyzed through the proper channels.

 

[Phemie]

In all seriousness, if she was not married Sacramentally, then her marriage was not valid to begin with, and she should be free to date/marry others.

Just a note that a marriage need not be sacramental to be valid. I may marry a person who is in the Salvation Army, and I may do it all good and proper in the Catholic Church with all the proper dispensations (disparity of worship) and after the wedding I’ll be in a non-sacramental valid marriage.