Please help Clarify!

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I am now divorced twice. Both marriages were before a Justice of the Peace. To my knowledge, neither of my wives were Catholic or of any other faith on a practicing basis. Both marriages I went into with the intent of it being forever but the first ended when the other was unfaithful; the second when all efforts were attempted to do something but my wife didnt want to keep it.

I am dating a woman who is Catholic. I am also considering joining the Catholic faith after many personal trials and events that have found me seeking God. I have gotten answers from "You do not require Anulment because both marriages were not valid in the eyes of the church, i.e., the marriages were done in front of a judge and in court, not any church" to "You require it no matter what, simply because you were married"

It is very important to me that I know what I am getting into. I basically went into my other marriages blind and uninformed. After many soulful discussions with my current girlfriend and her wishes to be married in the Catholic church, I want to be informed AND do the right thing for me and for us. This is an important process for me in re-examining my life and how I can make it better. If anyone can provide any answers, it would be greatly appreciated. Email to my address linked here. God Bless. Aaron J.

-- Aaron Johnson (aaron.johnson@inscom.army.mil), December 20, 2002

Answers

Annulment is necessary only for sacramental marriages, due to the command of Jesus, "What God has joined together, no man must separate". A marriage before a JP is simply a civil contract, and can therefore be undone by civil decree - divorce. It is not considered an an action of God, therefore annulment is not necessary.

Peace! Paul

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 20, 2002.


How sad to have had two failed relationships of such magnitude. I believe that the very best course for anyone in your situation would be to first explore in-depth the beauty and truths of the Catholic Church..why? Because your beloved is a member of the church, and you have expressed a desire to "consider joining the church"...this is not a small matter, but an enormous one for both of you. After years of being in a mixed marriage, I can tell you that life together as a married couple is hard enough work, despite all the joys within it, without being at odds over one's beliefs in God. Since you have already committed yourself to love this person, then the love will be further enhanced and bound as you BOTH grow in faith and wisdom. IMHO, find a priest who will counsel you individually and as a couple. It's been my observation over many long years that when couples marry in the church first and THEN one or the other explores the "new" faith, it's as if the church wedding was done to please the partner, not truly to seek God in the marriage. Not always, but often..look into your heart..the priests are there to advise and counsel couples just like you.God bless.

-- lesley (martchas@hotmail.com), December 20, 2002.

Correct me if I am wrong Paul, but wouldn't Aaron still need to have the marriages declared null due to lack of canonical form? If so, then he would need to work with his girlfriend's priest to begin the annulment process.

-- Glenn (glenn@nospam.com), December 20, 2002.

Dear Glenn,

I am no expert on canonical law, but as I understand it, in a marriage by a Justice of the Peace, lack of canonical form is a given. No investigation or formal declaration is necessary. Lack of canonical form would be investigated by a marriage tribunal in the case of a purpotedly Catholic wedding, where there was reason to believe that the required form of the sacrament had not been followed. The Church has jurisdiction in such cases. Since a wedding before a Justice of the Peace is strictly a civil matter, the Church has no jurisdiction, and accepts that a civil contract can be terminated by civil decree. A Church decree of nullity represents a finding that no sacramental marriage existed, because of a serious impediment, even though the possibility of sacramental marriage otherwise existed. In a civil ceremony, the possibility of sacramentality doesn't even exist, regardless of the form used, so there is no need for a formal declaration to that effect.

Peace! Paul

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 20, 2002.


Aaron,

Like Paul, I am no expert on canon law. However, I thought I had read that all marriages (non-Catholic minister, justice of peace, etc.) must be investigated. Please see your girlfriend's priest for guidance.

-- Glenn (glenn@nospam.com), December 20, 2002.



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