Is it true that Catholics can't marry a divorcee even if she converts?

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Hi!

I'd appreciate if someone can enlighten me on the issue:

I'm a Christian and a divorcee. I met a wonderful Catholic man and we are very much in love. It has been a difficult time for both of us as we have marriage in mind and he's positive that the Catholic Church would have an issue with me being a divorcee, even if I convert. I'd like to know if this is true. I guess I cannot understand this. God loves us and God knows I didn't want to be a divorcee and what can I do if my ex-husband left me for another woman. Does that mean that I am destined to be alone and I can't re-marry again?

Thank you.

Maureen

-- Maureen Simone Ng (ngmsj@hotmail.com), September 15, 2002

Answers

Jmj

Hello, Maureen.
Please ask your friend to make an appointment for you to visit his Catholic pastor to discuss this. Your case is not hopeless.

The Church does not recognize civil divorce as being capable of ending a true marriage, because Jesus said that we humans cannot "divide what God has joined together." However, the Church has a process for you to follow, by which she will determine if you really entered into a valid, sacramental marriage with the man who left you. If you were involved in a merely apparent union that was not genuine in God's eyes, then you were never truly married. In such a case, the Church will declare the "nullity" of your old "contract," and you will be free to be truly married for the first time in your life.

By the way, I pray that you will become a Catholic. You will never regret it. Your friend's pastor can help you begin to take the required instructions.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), September 15, 2002.


Maureen,

This is simple. First discover what diocese you live in. Then obtain the telephone number for the "Tribunal." The tribunal is the office that contains the local canon lawyers. Give them a call, they will be able to give you the correct answer...I am willing to bet that they will set your mind at ease.

-- Matt Larlick (bosun3rd@yahoo.com), September 17, 2002.


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