Catholics/Marriage question

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 3/13/2008


Question
QUESTION: So here goes:  I am divorced ad remarried.  When I married husband #1, he wasn't Catholic, and neither was I.  We both converted *after* the civil ceremony.  When I married husband #2, I converted to Mormonism, then Greek Orthodox, then Islam.  I know, I know, I have been all over the place, religiously speaking.  Here are my questions:
I have been told I need an annulment from husband #1.  I do not understand this.  Neither one of us were Catholic when we married!  An actually Catholic who married in a civil ceremony has a very easy time of it, whereas I, the non Catholic at the time, have to go through hell - please explain this!  Question #2:  Since I converted to 3 other religions after my divorce from husband #1, am I even Catholic anymore?  If not, what do I do?  And if I have to re-convert, what does that do to my marriage situation?
I know it's all a hot mess, but I really want to come back to the Catholic Church - i just think it may be impossible for me, and it makes me very sad.  I realize it's all of my own doing, I do. Is there any hope?

Peace,
Liz L. in CT

ANSWER: Hi, Elizabeth:
Thanks for the questions.
Never give up hope.  One can always come back to the Catholic Church as a single, chaste individual and have a full sacramental life.
At the time of your first marriage, if I understand you correctly, you were not Catholic; therefore, you were not subject to the Catholic Form of Marriage called Canonical Form.  Because of this, your first marriage is considered valid and lawful unless the contrary is proven.
A Catholic, on the other hand, who goes off and marries in a civil ceremony has violated the Canonical Form to which he or she is bound as a Catholic, making the attempted marriage unlawful and invalid.
I would have to assume that when both of you converted to Catholicism after marriage #1, that the original consent of marriage endured for some time into your lives as Catholics.  At that point it became a Sacramental, ratified and consummated Marriage.
Are you still with #2?  I suppose that would cause the greatest obstacle and complication that would make necessary for you to get an anullment for marriage #1, in order to have a lawful sacramental marriage with #2, and live a sacramental life of a practicing Catholic.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok, I pretty much expected that answer, although you explained it muich better than anyone had before, and I thank you for that!  Yes, my husband (#2) and I are still married.  I am willing to live chastely,as brother and sister, he is not.

I still want to know if I have to reconvert because of the other religions I joined - if so, would I even be allowed to in my present marital state?  Thank you again!

Liz

Answer
Hi, Liz:

Of course I would recommend that you run these matters past a local Priest in person; but I believe that the regular procedure for being received back into full communion with the Catholic Church is to undertake a public profession of faith, expressing a desire to be received back into full communion.
Any further particular details would have to be clarified in an interview with a Priest.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.