Yet Another Convalidation Question!

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Steve-o

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Here’s the deal: My wife and I (she a Confirmed, but fallen away Catholic, me a Baptized Catholic only) were married by a Methodist Pastor. We were not members of any church and were not married in any church. How does the Catholic Church view our marriage and what must we do to make our marriage valid?
 
you need to see the priest or deacon in charge of marriage preparation at your parish, only he can answer your questions, there are too many variables, every case is different.
 
Steve-o,

Whether you were aware of it or not, as a Catholic you were obligated to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony from a Catholic priest, unless you were given dispensation from Canon Law. (cf. canon 844).

I believe these words regarding Catholics in merely civil marriages would apply to your situation…

John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, 82:
vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio_en.html
By seeking public recognition of their bond on the part of the State, such couples show that they are ready to accept not only its advantages but also its obligations. Nevertheless, not even this situation is acceptable to the Church.
The aim of pastoral action will be to make these people understand the need for consistency between their choice of life and the faith that they profess, and to try to do everything possible to induce them to regularize their situation in the light of Christian principle. While treating them with great charity and bringing them into the life of the respective communities, the pastors of the Church will regrettably not be able to admit them to the sacraments.
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itsjustdave1988:
Steve-o,

Whether you were aware of it or not, as a Catholic you were obligated to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony from a Catholic priest, unless you were given dispensation from Canon Law. (cf. canon 844).

I believe these words regarding Catholics in merely civil marriages would apply to your situation…

John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio, 82:
vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio_en.html
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Can someone elucidate, please? I have a chick-pea sized brain and fail to understand.
 
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Steve-o:
Here’s the deal: My wife and I (she a Confirmed, but fallen away Catholic, me a Baptized Catholic only) were married by a Methodist Pastor. We were not members of any church and were not married in any church. How does the Catholic Church view our marriage and what must we do to make our marriage valid?
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The first priority would be to get both of you back to practicing the Catholic Faith and if possible receiving the Sacraments and then preparing to Convalidate the Marriage. You should speak with the pastor or one he designates. This will not be an over night process but it will be a very rewarding spiritual journey for both of you.
 
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Steve-o:
Can someone elucidate, please? I have a chick-pea sized brain and fail to understand.
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Allow me to translate…

Your marriage is merely civil. It is not in accord with Catholic Canon Law. Thus, you are not allowed to receive the Sacraments until you see your priest and get it regularized.
 
There could even be a question of validity so you would not necessarily be getting a convalidation but rather married proper. Because the both of you are technically Catholics and if you had not formally rejected your faith (i.e. renunciaton of your faith) then the both of you were still bound to be married “in the Church.” However if you both formally renounced your faith it is possible that all you will need is a convalidation. I agree with the above post that said speak to the priest and discuss in depth the exact situation and he will be able to discern what is proper in your case.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
The first priority would be to get both of you back to practicing the Catholic Faith and if possible receiving the Sacraments and then preparing to Convalidate the Marriage. You should speak with the pastor or one he designates. This will not be an over night process but it will be a very rewarding spiritual journey for both of you.
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Other way round - except for Confession -, convalidate the marriage and then be able to receive the sacraments.
 
Joe Kelley:
Other way round - except for Confession -, convalidate the marriage and then be able to receive the sacraments.
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I actually intended it the way I put it. The “IF” wil depend on what they are willing to do or not do betweeen now and the convalidation.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
I actually intended it the way I put it. The “IF” wil depend on what they are willing to do or not do betweeen now and the convalidation.
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Very important word “if” can be (spoken as if Yoda).
 
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