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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 1/19/2010


Question
I am currently in RCIA.  I am twice divorced.  It appears that the first person I was married to is deceased.  The priest told me I have to get the second marriage annulled in order to receive the sacraments.  I have been divorced (2nd time) since 1994 and have never dated or considered remarrying.  I live in the same town as my former spouse, but we do not live together and I live a celibate life. I have read information that states that I do not have to get an annulment if I don't plan to remarry.

Answer
Hi, Susan:
Thanks for the statements and information.
Sorry to hear what sounds like has been quite a challenging past; but following the Lord is its own greatest reward.  I can't understand why this particular Priest you refer to would deny you the Sacraments, unless there is some factor that he knows that I do not.  If you, or anyone, is divorced, but subsequently living a celibate life, then there is no requirement to get an anullment from the past 2nd marriage that has ended in divorce.
But like I stated, there may be factors here of which I am not aware.  Be certain to communicate and check the facts with your local Priest; and then, if this is still not helpful, bring your situation to the local Dean (senior priest) of the region.
I wish you the best!

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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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.

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