Can I marry in the Catholic Church?

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I am catholic and was married by a military pastor/reverend, in a garden, 4 years ago. I am now divorced. Is this marriage valid in the eyes of the catholic church since it did not take place in a church or by a priest? Am I able to be wed in the catholic church or do I have to receive an annulment? I have read the grounds for annulment and I don't know if any of them fit my situation. What do I do then?

-- Brighid Freedman (BrighidFreedman@msn.com), October 10, 2004

Answers

Response to Can I marry in the catholic church?

Lets take this to the top.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), October 10, 2004.

Response to Can I marry in the catholic church?

No, your marriage was not valid in the eyes of the Church, due to "lack of canonical form"; and yes, you do need to obtain an annulment, which is a formal declaration by the Church that your previous marriage was not valid due to lack of canonical form, before you can marry in the Church.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), October 10, 2004.

If the person you married wasn't Catholic then you'll need to apply for an annulment. If your ex-spouse was Catholic then you'll apply for a "lack of proper canonical form" decree which is a much simpler task than an annulment. In either case, look to your parish / pastor for guidance.

-- Jack Sammon (romanrite@aol.com), October 11, 2004.

In either case it is annulment. "Lack of canonical form" is just one of several reasons why annulment may be granted. The annulment process is usually briefer (1-2 months or so) in clearcut lack of form cases.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), October 11, 2004.

Thank you very much for your responses. I will speak with my priest.

-- (brighidfreedman@msn.com), October 11, 2004.


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