Catholics/validity of my marriage

Advertisement

Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 4/13/2011


Question
Hello Fr. I re-married in the Catholic Church without obtaining a "Lack of Form" for a previous non-Catholic marriage,is my second marriage valid? Unfortunately that marriage also ended in divorce and I'm trying to figure out how to be a Catholic in good standing again/ God Bless and thanks.

Answer
Hi, Maria:

Thank you for the question.
I am going to assume that you are a Baptized Catholic to answer this question.
First off, I am a little perplexed how you went through marriage prep and a Catholic Wedding ceremony for the "second marriage" without the issue of "Lack of Form" arising during your preparation.  When I have prepared couples, there is a question that asks specifically whether or not one of those seeking to get married now in the Church has ever attempted even a civil marriage in the past.  The best advice I can give right now, off-the-cuff, without knowing each and every detail and circumstance is this:
For you "to be a Catholic in good standing again," I believe that you need to return with humble assurance to the very beginning of these matters, and submit them to the proper Authority of the Church through a Parish Priest, or a Diocesan Marriage Tribunal with all honesty, and without hiding anything.  They should be able to advise you on the particulars of the past two attempted marriages.  In the meantime, since you are living as a single person, you need only make a good, humble, and thorough Confession and receive Absolution; then just lead the life of a chaste, single Baptized Catholic person, attending Mass, praying, and celebrating the Sacraments, growing closer to God the Father through Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, in the Full Communion of the Catholic Church.  Pray the Lord to help you grow in every grace and virtue of honesty and integrity, and have hope and trust in God's Love for you.  Have a very blessed Holy Week and Easter celebration 2011.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

Catholics

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.