are Catholic and marry a non-Catholic in a civil ceremony. you divorce this person, and meet someone else and want to wed in the Church. is an annulment from the church necessary? I was told by a non-Catholic that you need an annulment. I thought annulment only for valid marriage in eyes of the Church (only a Catholic ceremony) not a civil ceremony. Aren't civil marriages not recognized by the church at all and no annulment would be needed?

is there back-up on this on the internet? Am i right? thanks

-- mparker (maryann.parker@citicorp.com), May 11, 2002

Answers

Hello, Mary Ann.

The answers to your questions are these:
(1) A Decree of Nullity is needed. Your non-Catholic acquaintance was correct. (Interesting that he/she knew, but you didn't!)
(2) Civil marriage is not recognized unless Catholic bishop allowed a dispensation from normal "form." However, Decree of Nullity is needed anyway. The marriage tribunal of the diocese must consider the facts allow both spouses to testify.
(3) What do you mean by "back-up on this on the Internet?" Do you mean that you think you may get the wrong answer here, so you want a "second opinion"? If so, confirmation can be provided.
(4) Are you right about what?

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), May 11, 2002.

Hello Mary Ann,

I first place I want to ask you is that why do you want to go for this intercast marriage (I am not sure whether you have ask the question just for your knowledge or really you are going to marry a non-Catholic). I really dont understand why are there so many intercast marriages amoun the catholics.

There are so many catholics who have married noncatholics and that too in the Catholic Church where they have vowed to up bring their childern in the catholic faith. But once their wedding was over and children were born they forgot every thing. I have seen that many of them have even given up their faith and accepted the faith of their noncatholic spouses, like Islam, Protestant, Hinduism etc etc.

How can one a catholci who is not so strong in faith, does not even knows why is he a catholic and why not a muslim or a hindu or a Buddhist. If this so called person who doesnt knows why is he a catholic or what does it mean to be a christian is about to marry a non catholic or non christian what the hell is he/she going to bring up his children in the faith.

One thing I would like to tell you Mary Ann that being a Catholic and attending every Sunday Mass or novenas doesnt take you to heaven. The gospel says that "....there many who on the alst day will come and say that we cast out deamons in your name in your name we healed and preached....on that day I (Christ)will say that I didnt knew you.."

Hope atleast now you know what type of Christian we are called to be. There are people who say that my faith is increasing. I tell you faith can not increase or decrease. IN short you can say that either you have faith or no faith. Isnt it your Christian duty to submit your self for the growth of the Church. We are called to witness Christ. How can a person witness if he has not met ot tasted Christ.

Mary Ann if you are just about to marry a nonCatholic and just to make some one happy or fullfill your obligation you are doing all this what you have asked for think carefully if you will be able to keep your faith. My dear it is not so easy.

-- Xavier David (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 12, 2002.