Quick history: I was baptized Catholic as an infant, received Holy Communion but was never confirmed. I refused to go through because I did not want to follow Catholicism. My husband is in the same situation, baptized but never confirmed, didn't believe. He was previously married outside of the Catholic church to a non-Catholic woman. They are now legally divorced. She was unfaithful to him if that makes a difference. We had a civil wedding ceremony when we were married outside of any church. Now I am thinking of returning to Catholicism and if I do so would like to remarry in the Catholic church if my husband will agree to it. So here is my question: Does he need an annulment for his first marriage? Does the fact that he was never confirmed mean anything? Or the fact that she was unfaithful? What would/could be used as the basis for his annulment? Thanks in advance!
2007-04-13 14:09:06 · 12 answers · asked by Sarah 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes. All previous marriages, civil or religious, have to be dealt with before someone can be married in the Catholic Church.
Not being confirmed and infidelity are not grounds for nullity. But your husband's exwife not being Baptized and the fact that the first marriage was outside the Church may be.
The Catholic Church believes that God does not recognize civil divorces.
Jesus said, "Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." (Mark 10:9)
However there may be hope of a declaration of nullity.
The term "annulment" is a misnomer because the Church does not undo or erase a marriage bond.
Rather the Church issues a declaration of nullity when it discovers that the parties were not truly joined by God and hence a full spiritual sacramental marriage as understood by the Church was not present.
Then the parties are free to marry for the first time.
Grounds for nullity include:
+ Either one or both of the spouses were not baptized persons during the time of marriage
+ An unauthorized marriage by a Catholic before someone other than a designated priest or deacon
+ A marriage where one of the spouses had an impediment such as a previous marriage and civil divorce
+ A marriage where there was a deficiency in consent or the ability of one or both the spouses
Approach the appropriate person your in your parish who has been trained in the process. If you encounter difficulties, you may go directly to the diocese.
Be prayerful, honest and patient. It takes a while.
With love in Christ.
2007-04-13 19:10:13 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not a professional (priest, that is) but I have a bit of background info (born, raised, baptized & all the sacraments, singin' in the choir, even bringing up 6 kids in the faith - & DH is NOT Catholic, but has been supportive.) Even though neither of you is confirmed, you should still be able to be married in the Catholic church because his previous marriage was civil, not sacramental. There may be some sort of counseling required (generally by the priest you intend to have perform the ceremony) as far as the previous marriage issue and possibly the confirmation issue, but just because you've never been confirmed doesn't deny you access to the sacrament of marriage. An anullment shouldn't be necessary. What the priest will be most concerned with is your willingness (both of you) to follow through practice of the faith after the marriage ceremony.
A good friend of mine was married in the Catholic church and did need an anullment before marrying hubby #2 (#1 was not Catholic, was also unfaithful & a creep.) After some of the horrendous rigamarole she went through with her parish priest, her family is now practicing their faith in a Lutheran church!
Hope this helps - or at least gives you a starting point.
Good Luck!
2007-04-13 14:30:09 · answer #2 · answered by Madame M 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
>>He was previously married outside of the Catholic church to a non-Catholic woman.<<
Yes, he needs an annulment, but annulments due to what is called "lack of form" are very, very simple. Basically, it just needs to be documented that he was Catholic at the time and that the marriage did indeed take place outside the Church. He'll need to get copies of a few certificates, and fill out a form. Here's some info on it from one diocese:
http://lcdiocese.org/Annulments/document.htm
And a lack of form questionnaire from another:
http://diosav.org/files/LF%20Questionnaire.pdf
Welcome back to Holy Mother Church!
2007-04-13 14:36:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your husband's first marriage was invalid due to a defect in form. He married outside the Church ( lack of Confirmation is irrelavent- you are both legally Catholic). The civil divorce rectified the situation.
****There is no need for an anulment, since no marriage happened.****
You will need to present proof of the invalid marriage and civil divorce.
All you both need to do in make a sacramental confession- since your marriage in also invalid....and have your marriage either convalidated or redically sanated.
A convalidation ( 'blessing') recognizes a marriage from this point forward.
A Sanation 'backdates' your marriage to the date you exchanged vows...you may be able to do this since you were both free to enter the marriage.
Take all previous marriage documents, your marriage and baptismal info to the priest...it should be easy to straighten out!
Why not go through RCIA together and finish your Sacraments of Initiation??
2007-04-14 08:41:17 · answer #4 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he was not married in the catholic church before, he does not need an annulment. You will both need to be confirmed before you can have your marriage blessed in the church. some priests and parished may require you to take classes in catholicism as well.
2007-04-13 14:18:23 · answer #5 · answered by Isadora 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
because neither of you were married in the Catholic church,there is nothing to annul.you both should be free to receive communion and marry. however, you both need to under go the Catholic "classes" in order to be married in the Catholic church. run...do not walk... to your Catholic place of Worship,
and speak to the priest there.
be confirmed, receive your communion, ask God to forgive you sins and then enter into marriage as Christ did. for the Church was his bride, so shall you take your bride with his grace. For it was and is His amazing Grace that makes all things possible.
2007-04-13 14:29:25 · answer #6 · answered by ifishthereforiam 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Both of you need to be confirmed before having your marriage blessed.
Grounds for annulment? Her very infidelity...right from the words of Jeus in MT 5:32.
2007-04-13 14:50:36 · answer #7 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Consider an alternative?
Both of you seem to have already been unhappy with cathlicism. Seek out a NON-DENOMINATIONAL church, some congregation which is seeking to restore the Christianity of the first century. The catholic system has so many things where "official church doctrine" is opposed to scripture that it is virtually unrecognizable from its beginning.
2007-04-13 14:20:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The status of your husband's first marriage is the only thing that appears pertinent here, and you should talk to the priest at your local parish to see how that needs to be resolved.
2007-04-13 21:27:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs an annulmentfor the first marriage. For the answer to your other questions please go to this link and look for section 1601 and following.
http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3art7.htm
It would be best to go to a parish and look for a priest or deacon. There is also a lay person in charge of the Family & Life Ministry you can talk to.
Peace and every blessing!
2007-04-13 14:22:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋