Expert: Charlie B - 1/8/2009

Question
Hi Charlie, I am a practicing never married Catholic woman and I am interested in a divorced non catholic man. I've been doing some research about the topic and would love if you could shed some light. He is divorced non catholic, never baptised. His ex wife is also non catholic, never baptised and they were married in a Hindu ceremony (she is practicing Hindu). If we were to get married, would he be required to ascertain a declaration of nullity from the Catholic Church? Thanks in advance for your time and help.

Answer
Bene,
Thanks for your question.  The answer I believe is no, you would not need a declaration of nullity for the Catholic Church to marry a non-Catholic.

However, if you're planning to be married in the Church, do speak with the Catholic priest.  He will likely require either a marriage encounter of pre-marriage counseling with a local, volunteer Catholic couple, or have you enter into pre-marriage counseling with him.

Bene, for your information, know that when I married my Catholic wife 22 years ago, I was not Catholic.  We were married in a Catholic Church.  I converted to Catholicism in year ten of our marriage and haven't regretted it since -- in fact, it's the best decision that I made in my life.  

I'd encourage your husband to be baptized.  I'd encourage your frank, candid and forthright conversations about the role that Faith plays in your life, and in his life -- which is about to be joined in the sacrament of marriage.  I hope this answer assists you --
God bless,
Charlie