My mom and my day have been married for 24 years but my mom really wants to get married in the Catholic church. She tried already a few years ago. The thing is my dad was married before. Not through any religious ceremony but he was married and the priest didn't want to approve their marriage because they couldn't find the marriage license of his ex-wife even though they do have his divorce papers. Is there any way they can get married without the license. I would think that the divorce papers would be proof enough that my dad was married. I have been researching this and can't find any answers and my mom is really desperate. Please help!
2007-08-29 07:32:39 · 6 answers · asked by MIMI 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
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.
2007-08-29 17:32:01 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents were in the same situation only my mom was the one that was married before.
Well she had to get her divorced annuled before they would even think about it. She was only married through a civil marriage which isn't even reconized through the Catholic Church yet she still needed to get it annuled.
It was about $50.
The church had to contact a family member of her ex husband to state that they were divorced and had no contact for the years shes been married to my dad.
It was such a big mess but it's over and done now. Her priest from the Church she grew up in helped with all the paper work and contacting the family members of her ex.
It doesn't take long it's just fusterating.
2007-08-29 15:13:46 · answer #2 · answered by Valentina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess it is a matter of opinion, my wife and I were married in a Catholic church and I did not find it complicated.
The complication is that your father was married and divorced. Your parents will have to speak with your priest. This will make it difficult, if not impossible, to be married in the Catholic church.
2007-08-29 15:09:58 · answer #3 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The catholic church is awful! I have a friend who couldn't get married in a church because her now husband was divorced. I know you also cannot get married in a church if your mate is of a different religion! It's so stupid! You also have to take a bunch of classes before you get married! Why would anyone want to go through this? Just get a preacher or something and get married in a beautiful outdoor place! God is everywhere! Good Luck!
2007-08-29 14:44:58 · answer #4 · answered by nononsense 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
What matters is what the church says. Tell her to go to a different catholic church. It's been my experience that they do not all have the same rules.
2007-08-29 14:53:40 · answer #5 · answered by mamabear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This varys from Priest to Priest.........I would think as long as niether was ever married in a Cahtolic Church, it would be approved.
2007-08-29 14:41:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋