I have a question concerning annullment.

I just recently becam engadged to a woman who is a lifelong Catholic. She currently teaches at a Catholic school. We recently met with a father (actually a monsig.) to discuss setting a wedding date. He has known her is entire life and simply congratulated us booked a date. This is my CONCERN...

I in the past I had an informal marriage certificate in the State of Texas. We were married less than 90 days. By Texas law we had to have a divorce... which we did.

My question(s) is this: Can I marry in the church whithout an annullment?

How do I bring this up to the monsig. that has already agreed to marry us?

I am a non-catholic, who has never attended church regularly (of any affiliation) I have never been baptized.

any guidance would be appreciated, JW

-- John Wimble (redsc28@aol.com), February 17, 2002

Answers

Hello, John.
You asked: "Can I marry in the church without an annullment?"
No. The marriage tribunal in your Catholic (arch)diocese will have to review the facts and decide whether or not to grant you a Decree of Nullity. The Church recognizes as potentially valid the marriages of non-baptized couples. (Obviously, many Jewish couples are validly married, even though they have never been baptized. This is called a "natural marriage," rather than a sacramental one.)

You need to speak to the monsignor and explain the facts to him, asking him to help you prepare the testimony for the tribunal. The wedding date will have to be canceled, at least temporarily. If the monsignor resists, saying that a Decree of Nullity is not required, then show him the Q&A found on the following page, prepared by a canon lawyer: http://www.dwc.org/questions/Annulments/jewish2.htm
If he still resists, you would have to go directly to the local marriage tribunal or the (arch)bishop.

I'm sorry that you may have to go through difficulties to resolve this, but I know that you love your friend enough to make the effort -- right?

I'm praying that you will be a great Catholic some day, John.
God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), February 18, 2002.