Is my child born of a previous marriage (non-Catholic) union a "bastard" child if...?

Question

My ex-husband is remarrying and this will be his second marriage and his fiance's first. She is somehow discrediting my ex's marriage to me so that they can marry in the Catholic church based on the fact that I was married previously. I have no problems as long as I am not signing or agreeing that our marriage was not "valid" since we have a daughter that is almost 10 years old. If they marry under these circumstances, does it mean that my ex acknowledges her as "bastard" child? I support their marriage, however, I really resent under that circumstance. I am not Catholic and really unsure of stipulations. Thanks

Answer 1

No.

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.

The procedure is the same whether or not there are children in the marriage. If a declaration of nullity is granted then the children are still considered legitimate and retain all legal rights (Canon 1137).

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I think you are saying that your ex is trying to get an annulment from the Catholic church so he can get remarried in the church. (which is probably important to the never been married fiance) If this is true then I am assuming you were married in the Catholic church. In order for your ex to get remarried in the church he would have to show that there was some reason (known or unknown) at the time of your marriage that made the vows you took flawed from the beginning. Regardless, an annulment NEVER makes the children illegitimate because you both believed you were in a proper marriage. I can imagine this is very hard. I'm Catholic but I was raised protestant. Think of an annulment as a way to put the past behind you. If you want more info. call a priest or put catholic annulment into a search engine and see what you find. My thoughts are with you.

Answer 3

In order for him to remarry in the Catholic church, he would need to get an annulment. That would mean that in the eyes of the church, he was never married before and could then marry his fiance. Your daughter would not be considered a "b word" because she was conceived within a marriage.

Answer 4

My step sister is having to go through a lot of drama and jumping through fiery hoops for her Catholic wedding.

Both parties have to be "certified" Catholics, attending that church, going through their marriage counseling routine, and then either given the thumbs up or thumbs down by some clergyman whether or not they can marry.
That is way too much politics and BS for my taste.

Your child will always be legitimate regardless of any religious hoopla. But for her father to deny her as his daughter from a previous marriage just to marry in a Catholic church is over stepping the boundaries.

Answer 5

Well, its like you two were never married by Catholic law.....so in the Catholic church she might be look upon as "bastard". But by law she will not be. Talk to someone of Catholic faith and in the legal system before signing the paper. Just make sure that you are not signing away your child's rights to anything. Good luck.

Answer 6

Best to consult a priest on this one. We are all God's children, you're daughter is NOT a bastard child.

The only way to get out of a marriage in the Catholic faith is the spouse committing adultery, not able to consummate or death. I personally take annulment's with a grain of salt since it is a man made way to buy a get of hell (jail) free card.

Answer 7

Did your ex refer to his child as being this? If not I would not worry about it. As long as your ex loves his child and takes care of her what difference does it makes what terms he is now marrying to now. Now, if his wife disrespects your child and refer to her as this, then you have a problem if not don't worry yourself over petty affairs. This is just a glitch they are using so their union is accepted by the catholic church, nothing personal to you are your child. And if it makes you feel any better this is your ex second marriage as well no matter what the circumstances are.

Answer 8

No, neither the Church nor the law states that your child is a bastard..and besides, isn't that more than a little old fashioned? You WERE married to your husband by law..no church can take that away, regardless of what they preach. And your ex WILL have to continue to pay child support, period.

Answer 9

well you were married when you had your daughter so no matter what anyone says or does you were married nothing can change that but it's not right to say those things because you might be the only one thinking them and the one thats going to get hurt in the long run is you daughter and if he wants to get married again because he met someone he was going to spend the rest of his life with then i think anyone should get over the fact that something will change with your daughter because it wont in gods eyes she was born into a marriage, and thats all that matters.

Answer 10

Do you really want to burden your child with such a derogatory , outdated term? Who cares what she thinks - you know the truth. Your child was born into a married union - regardless of divorce, death or annullment - the child was still born into a married union.
The only stipulations are the ones in your head.