I was married in the Courthouse - can I remarry Catholic? I am Catholic.

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I am a Catholic and was married in 1996 in a courthouse. The marriage was not performed by a Priest or any member of the Church. The marriage ended in divorce one year later. I now want to marry my fiance who is also Catholic and has never been married before. Can I remarry in the Catholic church since my previous marriage was not recognized by the Church?

-- Lisa Bic (lisbic33@comcast.net), January 03, 2003

Answers

Dear Lisa,

Most likely you can. But the Church may or may not require an annulment proceding first. If so, certain questions would have to be resolved, such as the religious background of your first husband. Contact your pastor, or your diocesan office of family affairs, or marital affairs, for guidance.

Peace! Paul

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), January 03, 2003.


Please consult the Pastor in your parish. I have received an annulment from a previous marriage and am happily remarried (as a Catholic). The process took a long time, but it started with a discussion with our Parish Pastor.

-- Leonard Rodrigues (len.rodrigues@telus.net), January 03, 2003.

Hello, Lisa.

Unless your parish priest is very inexperienced, he should be able to help you do the paperwork for this easily.
If you were Catholic on the wedding day, then you unsuccessfully attempted marriage, because you failed to follow the required "canonical form" (being married in a Catholic church, etc.) -- and you should receive a Declaration of Nullity without much delay. And if you were Catholic on the wedding day, then the religion (or lack thereof) of your "husband" was irrelevant.

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), January 03, 2003.


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