My fiancee is catholic and I am not, what do we do to get married in a catholic church?

Question

My fiancee is catholic and I am not. We are thinking about getting married in a catholic church, what do we need to do other than talking to a priest about getting married in a church? Also, I was married previously at a justice of the peace and have been divorced. Any input would be appreciated. Have been told that may have to take classes and that they cost several hundred just for me to be married in the church since I am a non catholic.

Answer 1

The Catholic Church allows marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics.

Because the Church recognizes the tremendous challenge that the interfaith couple will face, they may have to get permission from the bishop.

All couples go through a pre-marriage course. I do not know how much they cost but I am sure it will not be several hundred dollars,

But before you are married you will have to take care of your first marriage.

All previous marriages, civil or religious, have to be dealt with before someone can be married in the Catholic Church.

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.

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.

Answer 2

I am a Catholic and have worked and been very active in our Catholic Church. In our Diocese (Texas), only one partner must be Catholic to be married in the Catholic Church. The non-Catholic partner does not have to convert. Depending on the Church, pastor and Diocese, you will have to at least meet with the priest, but you may also have a retreat to attend, plus counseling. And again, depending on the parish, you may have a 6 or 9 month preparation/waiting time.

Your previous marriage will have to be annulled, and that could mean just a little paperwork, or could mean a handful of paperwork. Every annulment is looked at individually, so the priest can tell you exactly what needs to be done.

As far as cost, again, every parish handles it differently. For my own daughter, we paid for the use of the church hall. The rest were donations to the priest, the accompanist and the cantor.

My best advise to you and your fiancee is to contact his parish where he attends as soon as possible. If he does not attend a church, contact one near where he lives or where you live and they could help.

Answer 3

I got married a long time ago....a non catholic/first marriage
to a catholic/first marriage. I had to take about 6 mos of classes and have many talks with our parish priest. We had a catholic wedding without full communion mass. You need to schedule to speak with the priest because I'm not sure that a divorced non catholic can be married in the church but things may have changed.

Answer 4

Your biggest obstacle here is your previous marriage, not that you are not Catholic. If it were your first marriage, you could get married in the Catholic church, as long as you agreed to raise your children Catholic, have them involved in the church, and the Sacraments. You would have to take pre-marital classes before as well.
You two must go talk to his parish priest to see if an annulment is possible in your case - there is usually a tribunal which decides this.
You really must decide first if you will be committed to keeping a Catholic home, however.

Answer 5

Have you actually spoken with a clergy member of the church to find out? You may need an annulment. It depends on the diocese. Either way you have to attend RCIA Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults.. You two must speak to a priest about this to get the best information. Depending upon how the diocese is run, you will get conflicting answers here. This is not the place to get the information you need in this situation. Go directly to the source.

Good luck.

Answer 6

The Methodist World Council and the Catholic Church are so very close together, differing only in a handful of doctrinal issues. You should just convert because the Sacrament of Matrimony is that important. It is the way you and your spouse use the love brought to this world by Jesus Christ to help one another get to heaven. Nothing is more important than that. Certainly not the machinations of the Methodist church. You probably accept the authenticity of the Catholic Church since you're thinking of converting, and you probably realize that even with all the beautiful Christians brought up in the Methodist faith, and the incredible work of the Methodist churches in this world, it simply isn't the same as being One as St. Paul would say. One Body. So many people are caught up in traditions of their families, but the truest tradition in this world started with Jesus Christ. One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Y'all would be so much better off if you were both practicing the same faith. And your children.....

Answer 7

You should convert. That's the wisest course of action. Also, to be legally married as a Catholic, you're gonna need an annulment to your previous marriage. I'm sorry, but that's the only way the church will recognize your marriage as legitimate.

But this money thing? that's BS. Talk to a priest. most parishes offer those services for free.

Answer 8

I guess all that you've said is all that I know. I know it can be done however. I've never heard of having to pay several hundred though. You just need to talk to the priest where you desire to get married to see what the requirements are. You'll have to go to classes, I'm positive. And you'll probably also have to promise to raise the children in the Catholic faith. It would probably just be easier for you to convert to Catholocism, but it's not absolutely necessary.

Answer 9

You have to talk to the actual priest you want to marry you. They have the final word and it does vary from priest to priest. Your former marriage won't be recognized by the church as it was just a civil ceremony and not religious, so that actually shouldn't be a problem. Had you been married in a church they probably wouldn't agree to marry you now.

Answer 10

You may want to consider since you have been married before to have your marriage "blessed" - its a nice ceremony without all the issues of trying to get an annulment, converting, etc. - also a Deacon from the church can perform this ceremony.
Best wishes on your new life together!