Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 6/26/2007

Question
My husband was raised Catholic and although he went to a Catholic school, as did I (but I was raised Luthern)he was never confimed Catholic.  

We have two girls now and have decided we want to raise them Catholic but would like be become confirmed Catholics ourselves.... So my questions are:

A. What steps do I need to take to find classes for adults.
B. How long will it take (about)
C. A friend told me that we will have to renew our vows in the Catholic Church, is that correct and if so what is the reasoning behind it?

Thanks so much, Kirsten

Answer
Dear Kirsten:

Thank you for your question. (I have added some more info)
It sounds quite complicated, and I will need you to answer some questions for me about your particular circumstances in order to give (ultimately) a full answer(s).
1. By asking for Confirmation for yourselves right now, at this point, are you saying that neither one of you has been practicing the Catholic Faith AT ALL, and wish to start up at this point?
It is important to know whether your husband has actually received Confession, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation - that he was raised in any way in the actual practice to some degree of the Faith.
Canonically (as it pertains to Canon Law), this makes a difference, as those who were baptized Catholic but never raised at all in the practice of the Faith are similar in treatment by Canon Law to those who have LEFT the Catholic Faith consciously at some point by what is known as a "formal departure."
In such cases, the individual is not bound to observe the Canonical Form of Marriage: in a Catholic Church building, with a Catholic Marriage Ritual, in the presence of a Priest or Deacon, with two witnesses.  If all else is lawful and in order with the marriage, then it COULD very well be valid and sacramental.
2.Were both of you free to marry lawfully (neither one having been previously married) back when you wed?  Because if for either of you this is a second "marriage", then the whole issue of anullments will come into play.
3. Did you at the time you wed go through instruction and preparation with a Priest, and have a Catholic Ceremony? (This would help me to gauge question 2 of mine).
A. I am sure that you should be able to find classes for adults in a local Catholic Parish; but, just be careful that they are concerned about these issues, and not dismissive.  There seem to be serious canonical issues that you will have to iron out.
B. Hard to say at this point "how long"?
C. Once I am able to get more background from my questions, I hope to be able to give a more coherent, direct answer to this one.
I hope to hear from you again with more details of circumstances that would be helpful to help look at your present situation and options.
I apologize that I have to be "quick" about my answers, because I am on dial-up (ugghh!), and if I don't hurry and send it, I run the risk of getting bumped off line.
Again, thank you for your question(s): let's keep working on the matters.  I sure hope that everything will be able to work out for you.  I am a convert to the Catholic Faith myself, and I want to encouarage you now, and hopefully be able to welcome you to the Catholic Church soon!

Fr. Timothy Johnson