I have been with my girlfriend for quite a while now. She was a methodist and is planning on converting to catholicism. Anyway, she was married before and has a divorce. She got married in a Methodist church. I was wondering if We would still be able to get married in the Catholic church being that she has had a divorce.

-- James Reider (jlr1023@comcast.net), August 26, 2004

Answers

Response to Marraige question.

The details of her previous marriage will have to be submitted to a Catholic marriage tribunal for determination of validity. The fact she is divorced is not an obstacle in and of itself. In fact the Church requires a civil divorce before the tribunal will consider a case. If the tribunal determines that her original marriage does not meet the criteria for valid marriage, they will issue a writ of nullity - what is commonly called "an annulment". In that case you will be free to marry in the Catholic Church. Otherwise you would not be eligible for marriage in the Church. Speak to your priest about getting the process started.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), August 26, 2004.

Response to Marraige question.

Allright, thank you for the help.

-- James Reider (jlr1023@comcast.net), August 26, 2004.

Yeah, but you may as well put your life on hold for about 2 years, cause that's how long it takes to get a response.

-- Anon (anon@none.com), September 10, 2004.

Some involved cases can take up to two years to settle (note that some civil court cases drag on much longer). The average for annulment cases is 8 months to a year. Many straightforward cases are settled in as little as two months. In any case, it's necessary so why whine about the time it takes?

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), September 11, 2004.