she is orthodox and we would like to get married in her church, what do we need to do? im catholic and have not seen my ex wife in years after we got divorced from civil marriage, we did not ask to anulate the catholic marriage, can i still married my girlfriend?
2006-06-26 16:01:54 · 9 answers · asked by batmanpv99 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You're saying that legally you're divorced but the catholic church does not recognize the divorce...so can you still remarry?
yes you can still marry because the law is what counts...separation of church and state
2006-06-26 16:07:00 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes and no, depending on what Church you want to remain in.
The Catholic Church will recognize that you have a civil divorce, but since you do not have an annulment, you are not free to marry again. The Catholic Church will look at you and your ex-wife as being separated, but the sacrament of matrimony that binds you is still valid. Therefore, if either of you remarry, it is adultery.
If you wish to marry your girlfriend in the Orthodox faith, it is important to realize that you will have to renounce Roman Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes Orthodox baptisms and marriages, but the Orthodox Church only recognizes those sacraments performed within their faith. You will have to make a statement that you renounce the Catholic faith and be baptised again before you are able to marry.
Since the Orthodox Church does not recognize Roman Catholic sacraments, it is as if you and your ex-wife were never married. Therefore there is no impediment for you and your girlfriend.
But while the Orthodox Church would accept the marriage, you should also consider whether you want to renounce Roman Catholicism for the Orthodox version. Become educated about what the means, learn the differences (there are many), and make sure that would be a choice you could live with for yourself and any future children.
Another option is to look into getting an annulment. You have to meet at least one of the criteria and prove it though. It can be a long process, usually a year from start to finish.
2006-07-02 10:55:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
[edit for the post directly above. Lautari, the Catholic Church holds that Orthodox marriages are sacramental and thus a sacramentaly married Orthodox individual would not be allowed to remarry in the Catholic Church.]
Point Blank
If you had a valid sacramental marriage, then the answer is no you cannot marry anyone, as you are still married to your wife.
If you think that your marriage was not sacramental, then you need to talk to your priest and, if finding that it was not sacramental, get an annulment.
Your girlfriend, if she is orthodox (or do you mean Eastern Orthodox?) will not marry you if you are already married because she knows that that would be adultery.
2006-06-26 23:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know your are not married for the orthodox church (opposite would be true as well with catholic); so there shouldn't be any problem for you to get married in her church.
The problem would be to marry a catholic and being willing to marry in a catholic church, then the first catholic marriage annulment would be necessary (for what it means...).
All the best to the future husband and wife!
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Edit for Liet,
I do have an uncle who did marry an orthodox at church after a catholic marriage divorce. This without annulment. So I don't know what is right or not but I do have a factual counter example to your statement...
2006-06-26 23:11:11 · answer #4 · answered by Lautari 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically in the Church, you'll need to pursue an annulment, which means that the Church determines a marriage didn't exist to begin with. The Church reviews these cases and will work out the situation with you. If you are granted the annulment, you can marry but if you are not, the Church will not recognize the second marriage.
2006-06-26 23:13:00 · answer #5 · answered by LvsBtxPtr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will not have the blessing of the Catholic church. You have to have an anulment from the Catholic church. until then they will not recognize your civil "legal" divorce, and they difinately will not allow you to be newly married in a Catholic church
2006-06-26 23:07:09 · answer #6 · answered by meld1707 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have been to confession lately? seem not. go talk to your church. the catholic laws have been changed, for the formost in many ways....you should start going back to church....ask your priest , first. orthodox is a very strong catholic church.....also how long have you been not going to church,? please know this must be blessed before your married as you should have marriage consuling with the priest before the wedding. as far as i know now days only a adultory divorce, is permitted. goods luck
2006-06-26 23:17:42 · answer #7 · answered by snowdancer41 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes of course but the question is do you wish to remain a "GOOD"
Catholic. Ask the father there are processes.
see the site below
http://www.religioustolerance.org/div_rc.htm
2006-06-26 23:13:01 · answer #8 · answered by IRISH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am Greek Orthodox and I would suggest talking to both your priest and her priest.
They would know best.
Remember; it's what's right in God's eyes
All of God's Blessings, Guidance and Love to you both.
2006-06-26 23:08:01 · answer #9 · answered by Fotios 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋