Expert: Tom Schott - 3/22/2007

Question
I am of the Methodist faith and have been divorced once. My current (2nd) husband and I were married by the Justice of the Peace at the courthouse.  We have a child together and have decided that our children will be raised Methodist and we will attend the Methodist church regularly but my husband and I will also attend Catholic Mass as he is of the Catholic faith.  We would like to renew our vows and he would like to do so in the Catholic church so that his church will recognize his marriage as valid and he is able to partake of the sacrament.  Is this feasible being I have been divorced and am not Catholic especially being that we have already been married outside the church?  If so, what steps do we need to take?

Answer
Michelle,

 Yes. This is feasible. From the information you provide, an annulment of your first marriage will probably be required. The same is true for your husband, if his marriage to you was not his first marriage. In any event, the very first step you must take is to contact the pastor of the Catholic church you attend, explain your situation; he will tell you how to proceed. I hope this has been helpful.

Deacon Tom