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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 2/12/2008


Question
Father Timothy Johnson,

I am a USA citizen and I am engaged to a Philippine woman.  We are in the process of filing the K1 Visa to have her come to the States so we can marry.  

She is devote roman catholic and I am more a philosopher.  I wish to marry her in a church of her faith but have no knowledge of Roman Catholic rules and requirements.

Is there any guidelines or information you can send me or direct me to so I can do what is right for my future wife.  We plan to permanently move to the Philippines in 2009 and live there.

I live just outside of Washington DC.  I would thank you for any guidance or assistance you can provide me.

Regards,
mike hall

Answer
Hi, Michael:
Thanks for the question.
A good place to start is to expalin the details of your situation to a local Roman Catholic Priest in your area.
Basically, it is necessary that you ascertain the "freedom" to marry in the Catholic Church, meaning that neither of you has a current marriage bond, even a legal divorce with the decree of nullity from the Catholic Church.
A Priest assisting you with the matter would then begin to put together your marriage file (provided you are not bound by any impediments to a Catholic Marriage).  This will include some questionnaire forms; obtaining Baptismal Certificate(s); and scheduling you for any required pre-marriage conference that may be required.
Sincerely,

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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