Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 7/23/2007

Question
I am, and was raised Catholic and have completed all sacraments through confirmation.  I am dating a man who completed sacraments through first communion and is not currently a practicing Catholic, though he supports my practice of the faith.  He was married in an Episcopal Church- without a dispensation- and was divorced after eight years of marriage.  I am trying to research our options for marriage.  I would like to be married in the Catholic Church, is that possible?  Is his marriage to a non-Catholic in an Episcopal church without a dispensation considered "valid"?  He has agreed to raise any children as Catholic.

Answer
Hi, Meg:

Thanks for the question.
You are probably both very fortunate if the circumstances are just as you have presented them to me.  Since the man you are currently dating (and I am guessing you are engaged to be married?) did not go through the normal procedures for a Catholic to get the dispensation from Canonical Form, and just "did his own thing" without any regard for getting married by the Authority of the Catholic Church, his marriage was most likely invalid, for this reason.  I am assuming that it can be safely said that he was just careless and not practicing his faith at the time he married in the Episcopal Church?
The only complication could be if he made a "formal departure" from communion with the Catholic Church by becoming an Episcopalian.  In such a case, he would no longer be bound by the Catholic jurisdiction of Canonical Form, and the marriage "might" be valid, provided all other things concerning marriage were lawful and in order.

If he was "bound by Canonical Form", and did not observe it in his first "marriage" - then it is seen as having no sacramental force in the Catholic Church.
It is relatively simple.  Get the "Lack of Form" paperwork done for his previous marriage through your local Diocesan Marriage Tribunal - among the easiest paperwork procedures to deal with.
As long as you have no previous marriages (?), then it seems at this point it ought to be a pretty easy case.
Of course be sure that you both make a REAL GOOD Confession prior to your wedding ceremony so that you can receive all the Graces of the Sacrament.  This is a great time and opportunity for both of you to come back to the real, authentic, and strong, serious practice of you Faith.  Because it never makes sense to me how people can talk about "raising their children in the Catholic Faith" when they themselves are not even practicing the Catholic Faith.
Good luck to you, and God's Blessings!

Fr. Timothy Johnson