Catholics/Sacramental marriage

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 1/11/2009


Question
Dear Fr Timothy,
I am a practising Catholic. I was married to a practising Christian (non-Catholic) in an Anglican ceremony 2 years ago, and I had the marriage registered in a Catholic church as well.
But I have just found out that my husband was never properly baptised in any church. Rather, he was baptised by his own father at home, when he was a teenager. I question the validity of this baptism and whether it would be recognised by any church.
What is the status of my marriage? Are we joined by God, since my husband never received the sacrament of baptism? Was the marriage validly performed since neither my husband nor I were members of the Anglican church when we were married there? Can you please advise me on what to do now or who to talk to?

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Answer
Hi, Elizabeth:
Thanks for the question(s).
Your husband's Baptism is not necessarily invalid just because it was administered by his father at home back at the time he was a teenager.
The question of whether the marriage is sacramental would hinge upon whether or not your husband was baptized, but not its lawfulness provided you were married with the proper dispensations of the Catholic Church to be married in an Anglican ceremony.
As for any questions concerning the validity of a Baptism, one would have to know whether true water was used, and poured at least over the head, while the words: "I baptize you: in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Ghost).  Amen." were spoken by the one baptizing, intending to do what Christ commanded for baptism, and the intention to baptize.
I don't understand how you had your marriage "registered" in the Catholic Church (as you state), unless you had received a Dispensation from Canonical Form to get married in an Anglican ceremony.
You ought to talk with a Catholic Priest or the local Bishop about your circumstances.  Make certain that the one you talk to is sincere and not dismissive of your concerns.  I certainly like to hope that a Catholic Priest or Bishop would be able to look into your case on the local level.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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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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