Expert: Tom Schott - 11/6/2007

Question
QUESTION: My husband and I have been married for four years and decided to renew our vows for our five year. We signed the paperwork stating we would raise our children catholic and were going to be married in the catholic church when he got called in for military duty. so instead we got married in a court house. So i guess i was wondering if a priest or deacon can perform a religious ceremony at another location other then a catholic church. I grew up in my faith and have strong ties to it but he is a non-catholic and his family would feel a bit uncomfortable in a church setting. so we were hoping the answer would be yes. if not do you have any suggestions.

ANSWER: Diana,

 Under the circumstances you described, you could not renew your vows until your original marriage was set right. The Church requires only 3 things for a valid marriage: an ordained minister, two witnesses, and in a church. You could easily regularize your marriage with a simple form. Your pastor can advise you on this. It's not a problem. You could also inquire at the same time whether your renewal of vows would require a church. I think this is required, but it might be waived for good pastoral reasons. The best person for you to talk to is the pastor of your church parish, or whoever handles these things in your parish.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So if I may ask according to the last answer does that mean that in the eyes of the church we are not married then.

Answer
Diana,

 In the eyes of the Church, you are not =sacramentally= married. You are, of course, legally married. That's why the form would be necessary. Your marriage, in the eyes of the Church, has what's called a "defect of form." Which simply means you did not adhere to the Church rules when you got married.