Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 5/26/2009

Question
I was married through the church 13 yrs ago. I have now been divorced and re-married. I was wondering...we want to baptize our daughter through the church. (My second marriage wasnt through the church since my husband had to deploy unexpectactly, we married in a court house.) Do I have to divorce my first husband through the church to bapstize my daughter?

Answer
Peace



dear Gloria,
    The Church does not give divorce. It does reconize that are valid reasons for a couple to part ways, mainly for the safety of one spouse or that of children.
   The Church, through its authorized persons (bishops and the ones they appointed) can give decrees of Annulment. They are statements, that state a couple did not receive the Sacrament of Holy Matriony dispite appearances, its given after a "trial" of sort. Or you get a Decree of Vaild Bond, in this case you can not marry until your spouse dies. You need such an annulment decree before seeking a vaild second union, if the both possible spouse are still alive. Contact your parish priest, he can help u start this process.
  Your parish priest can baptize your daughter, unless he feels she would not be raised in a Catholic setting.

                             your servant but Christ's first