This is the thing, I am born and raised catholic and she is not. Now we want to get married in a catholic church, it's her wish. Now she has no intentions of becoming a catholic as of yet. Now here's the tricky thing, she has been married before and is divorced now. I know that before that the catholic religion it didn't allow a marriage with someone who has been married and is divorced. So my question is can we?
2007-10-04 16:38:56 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The answer would depend on the church, the diocese and the priest. If it is allowed, you two will be expected to take classes, and she will be asked to sign a paper that your children will be brought up Catholic. You both might also need proof of baptism.
2007-10-04 16:42:42 · answer #1 · answered by beckymarie2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
+ Mixed Marriages +
The Catholic Church allows marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics. She does not have to convert.
Because the Church recognizes the tremendous challenge that the interfaith couple will face, they may have to get permission from the bishop.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1633-1637: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3art7.htm#1633
+ Divroce +
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.
2007-10-04 23:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope.
You could IF she converted.
Then she could get a "dispensation in favor of the faith." But she has to be Catholic first.
Addendum: The issue isn't that she can't get married in the Catholic church because she isn't Catholic. That could happen. They just wouldn't do a full Mass.
But other answerers saying yes - some of you are right that it CAN happen, but you are ignoring the fact that the woman is divorced.
Because of her previous marriage and divorce she will first have to become Catholic before they give her an annulment. The Catholic church is not going to annul marriages performed for NON-Catholics.
And they will not give dispensations in favor of the faith to a non-Catholic, either.
If she wants to get married in the Catholic church, she is going to HAVE to become Catholic. Then and only then will the church deal with her previous marriage and divorce, and allow her to get married in the church, either because of an annulment or a dispensation in favor of the faith.
2007-10-04 23:43:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There will be an annulment to her first marriage if you want to marry her in the Catholic church. Don't think of this as something that needs to be done. An annullment is never guaranteed. Catholics value highly the sacrament of marriage and don't believe it can simply be discarded. You may not be able to marry this woman in the Catholic church. Her standing as not being a Catholic does not affect your ability to marry her as long as there is a confidence that any children will be raised Catholic.
2007-10-05 11:16:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gentleman is right, check with your priest. I do know that you can get married to one not of your faith in the Catholic church, but there are classes the two of you need to take AND get the permission of the church to do so. As for her already being married, was it a civil ceremony or church? If it was done in church she may need an annulment, but if she was married outside the church, that might not be necessary.
2007-10-05 00:39:17 · answer #5 · answered by Rev. Kaldea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can be married in the Catholic church if she gets a decree of nullity for her first marriage. The civil divorce means she is not legally bound to her first husband, but she needs to prove that she is not spiritually bound to him as well.
Ask your priest for guidance on how she can start the annulment process. It can take some time, however, so do not delay. You want to get that going ASAP.
2007-10-05 15:19:05 · answer #6 · answered by sparki777 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your girlfriend needs to get an anulment. The Church treats all marriages between baptised noncatholics as valid unless proven otherwise.
Until she gets a decree of nullity, she is considered married int he eye of the Church, so you cannot set a wedding date- and really shouldn't even be dating.
If she gets the anullment, you go through normal marriage preparation. There is no requirement for her to become Cahtolic, but you must be married in the Church or have permission to have the wedding in her church. You must promise to raise the children as Catholics, and she must acknowledge that promise.
You really nned to decide ahead of time how you will handle religion when it come to your children. It is one of the biggest issues couple of different faiths encounter.
2007-10-06 23:51:10 · answer #7 · answered by Mommy_to_seven 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the parish and the amount of your donations. Some are much more conservative and adhere to the old rules. I dated a guy from my small hometown and the church there was very old world. I would have had to attend classes and covert in order to be married in that church. My now husband is (was) Catholic and his father is loaded and long standing in his church. He told us he could get my husbands annulment and allow us to be married for about $5000, no conversion for me required. Apparently, money is the true god.
As for her 1st marriage and divorce, as it was not performed in a Catholic church, it does not count. So in the eyes of your church she was never married.
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials.
2007-10-04 23:52:04 · answer #8 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well the last thing you should be doing is talking to us, you need to talk to the priest. But at the same time, this is what happens when you marry someone from a different religion, it's always complicated, especially when the woman already has baggage. But yeah, ask the Priest, the one who has to marry you, ultimately it's his decision anyway, so good luck with that babe!
2007-10-04 23:47:17 · answer #9 · answered by April 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, don't go to a church. There are many other places that won't charge you an arm and a leg to hold a wedding ceremony there. Churches, wedding halls, reception halls, all charge way too much for things. I got married at a botanical garden and get this, my wedding cost a total of $2000 and we paid for everything. Bridesmaid dresses, the reception, the garden, everything. I had about 50 people at my wedding.
2007-10-04 23:44:52 · answer #10 · answered by meissen97 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋