Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 2/21/2009

Question
I was married to a non-catholic in the catholic church and divorced within 6 months. He was not baptized and did not continue to practice the catholic faith with me as he vowed. I tried to make the marriage work but was unsuccessful. I later due to the guilt of my first divorce drifted away from the church and ended up getting married in a civil ceremony. Religion was not a part of my life at this time as I did not feel worthy of God's love. That marriage was doomed from the beginning as I was really only trying to fill the void that my first divorce had left in my heart. Several years went by and I remarried a Catholic. We attend mass every Sunday. I have forgiven myself for my past mistakes and I want to have this marriage blessed by the Catholic Church.  Do I have to go through two annulments? Does the fact that I am already remarried to another Catholic change anything in the eyes of the church. What I mean is is there a faster way to void my previous marriages to save our souls. I feel like my husband is being punished for my sins since the church considers him as an adulterer for marrying me.

Answer
Peace

dear Joy,
  First annulments are not a voiding of a marriage. Decrees of Annulments are official statements of the Church, stating that despite appearance the Sacramental Bond of Holy Matrimony never took place.
  Each case is handled in the order, that the "weddings" took place. That you are "married" to a Catholic this time, doesn't effect the ruling on those that were before it.
  My basic advice is to speak to your current pastor, to start the process to getting your possible decrees of annulment and reception of the sacrament of Holy Matrimony.

        Be Assured of my prayers, and God Bless,
                      your servant but Christ's first
                                   George