[sallieann]

I was briefly married 10 years ago to the father of my son. We married in a civil ceremony and we were both baptised church of england as children. The marriage lasted less than a year. My current fiancee who I have been with for 6 years and who is basically a father to my son is a catholic and he has a large Irish catholic family. We both have strong faith and both want to marry in his familys local church in ireland. Do I need an annulment for my first marriage or is it unrecognised by the catholic church? Please help...[unsure]

[the_admin]

DFear Sallieann:

I would think that if you were not married in the church then you probably do not need an annulment since the church doesn't recocnize civil unions. However. You should consult your local priest for a certain answer since we are located in the USA and don't have experience with The Church of England.

[sallieann]

I thought the Catholic church was the same worldwide and followed the same ethics and laws? My local Priest has told me hes unsure too...he says it may make a difference if one of the parties previously married was not baptised as its not recognised as a christian union but hes not really sure and has given me the name of another priest higher in the diocese to write to regarding the matter. The only thing is annulment takes 2 years minimum I've been told and our wedding is planned for next summer. Any help anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated..thankyou[angelic]

[the_admin]

Annulments typically take about a year although they can take longer sometimes. Your fiance's priest really should have that information for you or, at the very least, if he's going to be the one marrying you, he should be able to get the answer for you. Try speaking to him again, making sure he understands that he'll be the one performing the service.

Let me toss this over to a catholic Deacon for his opinion. Stay tuned.

[sallieann]

thankyou very much for even trying! much appreciated. My local priest will not be marrying us thats the thing...my fiancee is Irish and we plan on marrying in Ireland at his familys local church so communication is difficult across the water! [unsure]

[Deacon Bob]

Civil unions are not recognized by the church however, with that being said, I have known of cases in which a Pastor or Bishop have required an annulment. That is the reason no one wants to give a 100% answer to this question. Ireland also is not very divorce friendly. For that reason caution is necessary. Does you fiance have family in Ireland that can speak with the Priest who will be officiating the ceremony. That is really going to be the best source. I wish we could be more helpful to you.

[sallieann]

I spoke to my future father in law last night and asked him to speak with the priest in Ireland for us and check but he didn't sound very positive! Like you say, Ireland is really not open to the whole divorce or remarriage thing. My local priest has told me at least 2 years for an annulment due to the size of the diocese. I just feel like I'm being tried for my childish error with all this.. many people marry in church hypocritically every day just so their photos can look nice outside church! It makes me cross as we have such genuine motives. Our local priest has been lovely but I have to wait to hear from a letter I've sent now to the Bishop asking him where we stand exactly. Fingers crossed and all start praying! many thanks again for all your help and guidance []

[sallieann]

hello again, good news from me! My local church in England has said no to a remarriage in a catholic church because both me and my ex were baptised protestants and it is viewed as a christian union however...the Priest in Ireland has said that the church doesn't recognise any civil union and we can be married in Ireland in the church that we hoped to be married in after all! We just need to produce certificates of baptism and proof from my local registrar that I've never married in church before. We may both need to be confirmed but thats fine. Just one question though? I don't remember any certificate of baptism and neither does my mum. Is this a Catholic thing? from a very happy soon to be married sallieann!!!! p.s - I think you were right when you said its basically dependant on the Priest/Bishop of that Church. The catholic church itself doesn't recognise a civil union. Thanks again[][][][]

[startingover]

Congratulations and we hope you enjoy your honeymoon in Ireland, a place we would love to visit someday. As for certificates of baptism, there are many churches that give these documents as evidence of this rite. Other churches may keep a list of the baptized. Check with the church secretary where you were baptized and see if there is a record. Otherwise, the priest in Ireland may accept the signed testimony of witnesses or even a photograph. If no evidence of your baptism can be found, discuss the matter with the priest in Ireland and your pastor as well.