Wife Converting, I'm staying protestant is marriage valid in eyes of church?

[Jprk811]

My wife and I were married in a protestant church in 1990. We have stayed protestant all this time. 2 years ago, she expressed a desire to convert to Catholicism. She is finishing RCIA now and plans to take first communion This Easter. My questions are many but specifically around what does our marriage become in the eyes of the Catholic church. I will remain protestant she will be a converted Catholic. This is our only marriage (no divorce or ex-spouses involved). So the questions I have are:

• Will our marriage be considered valid in the eyes of the church?
  *Can she take communion and participate in all the ‘sacraments’ or in what ways will she be prohibited from participating in the ‘sacraments’
  *What does seperated bretheren mean? I have an idea but would really like to hear it from someone on this forum
  *What does that mean for our 4 kids (3 are adults, 1 is a high-schooler). The kids are all remaining protestant and are baptized believers in the protestant church

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut

 

[phil19034]

My wife and I were married in a protestant church in 1990. We have stayed protestant all this time. 2 years ago, she expressed a desire to convert to Catholicism. She is finishing RCIA now and plans to take first communion This Easter. My questions are many but specifically around what does our marriage become in the eyes of the Catholic church. I will remain protestant she will be a converted Catholic. This is our only marriage (no divorce or ex-spouses involved). So the questions I have are:

• Will our marriage be considered valid in the eyes of the church?
  *Can she take communion and participate in all the ‘sacraments’ or in what ways will she be prohibited from participating in the ‘sacraments’
  *What does seperated bretheren mean? I have an idea but would really like to hear it from someone on this forum
  *What does that mean for our 4 kids (3 are adults, 1 is a high-schooler). The kids are all remaining protestant and are baptized believers in the protestant church

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut

1. Yes, your marriage will be considered valid in the Catholic Church. She will be able to participate in all of the Sacraments.

• Furthermore, if you are baptized, then the Catholic Church will consider your marriage to be Sacramental.

1. “Separated brethren” means Christians of good faith who are not part of the Catholic Church. We still considered these people to be part of the Body of Christ, but they are “separated” from full communion.

• This term always refers to mainline Protestants & Evangelicals, and depending on the usage may or may not refer the Eastern Orthodox & Oriental Orthodox (because they have valid Sacraments and are not separated from the Eucharist)

1. As far as your kids are concerned, I really don’t see how it affects them. Like you, they are remaining Protestant. They would be no different from you. (I’m not sure I understand your question/concern regarding the children)

God Bless

 

[vsedriver]

*Can she take communion and participate in all the ‘sacraments’ or in what ways will she be prohibited from participating in the ‘sacraments’

She can participate in all the sacraments

*What does seperated bretheren mean? I have an idea but would really like to hear it from someone on this forum

It means that the Catholic Church recognizes that there are other believing Christians and that we are all brothers, but are separated because we are not all in unity with the One True Church. This does not mean the Catholic Church teaches that these people can’t be saved. It just means we are not all fully united.

*What does that mean for our 4 kids (3 are adults, 1 is a high-schooler). The kids are all remaining protestant and are baptized believers in the protestant church

Your adult children are adults and free to choose whatever they wish to do as far as religion is concerned. A high schooler would be subject to parental authority but it sounds like you have both allowed your minor child to also choose. There is no obligation on anyone else in your family to convert.

 

[kb117]

• *What does that mean for our 4 kids (3 are adults, 1 is a high-schooler). The kids are all remaining protestant and are baptized believers in the protestant church

Will you and your kids be attending Mass with your wife on Sundays?

 

[Convert3]

I attended RCIA just to learn about my wife’s faith. No commitment involved. However, from what I learned I decided to convert to Catholicism three years ago.

 

[TC3033]

Hi @Jprk811 I am a non-Catholic husband as well, and my wife is Catholic.

Will our marriage be considered valid in the eyes of the church?

Yes. If you are/were both baptized it is also a sacrament

*Can she take communion and participate in all the ‘sacraments’

Yes

What does that mean for our 4 kids (3 are adults, 1 is a high-schooler). The kids are all remaining protestant and are baptized believers in the protestant church

Honestly, nothing. What were you thinking it may mean?

 

[Jprk811]

My kids and I will not be attending Mass with my wife.

 

[TC3033]

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

If I were in your position, I would make a concerted effort to go once-in-a-while though. Is she going to attend your church at all, or are you going the “complete split” on Sundays?