[HibblerBride]

Hello,

I was married for a short time in 2001. That marriage took place outside and was officiated by a non-denominational person. I was legally divorced a short time later. Then in 2003 I was married again and my husband and I had the ceremony at the courthouse. I am Catholic. I have been Baptized, had my First Communion and First Confession. I have not been Confirmed. My husband is not Catholic, but is interrested in becoming Catholic. We would like to renew our vows on our 5 year anniversary because we feel that we have grown so much over the last few years, that we really truly understand the full sacarament of marriage and want to reconfirm that. We would like to renew our vows in the Catholic Church. Is this something that we could do?

[startingover]

Yes, we believe it is possible to renew your vows in the Catholic Church. However, consult your priest. You will first need to have any previous marriages annulled and your present marriage blessed by the Church. According to the information you gave us, your previous marriage was outside the Church, so for Catholics who marry outside the Church there is a shortened form to fill out. You can probably renew your vows when you get your present marriage blessed. If you want to wait until your husband completes his RCIA, the ceremony will be even more blessed for you because you will then be welcomed to receive the Eucharist together. Check with your priest for a possible time-line for accomplishing this.

[Deacon Bob]

When you say that your first marriage was by a non denominational "person" I assume you mean a Christian non denominational Minister. If that is the case, I believe that you would have to go through the annulment process before the Catholic church would bless the second marriage. The annulment requires there be a defect in the marriage "contract" something that would make the first marriage invaild. The tribunials have been taking a broad view in this area. However, it is a long process taking anywhere from one to two years. Your former spouse and witnesses will be contacted.

However, if you are committed to this I think it is a good idea for you. If your husband is interested in becoming Catholic he should contact the local parish about the RICA program and get that moving while you move forward with the annulment process. Then you can have your marriage blessed once the annulment is completed.

It is not required for your husband to become Catholic but if he wants to it would be nice for him to complete the RICA program and be brought into the church. This response assumes that your husband has not been married before and he has no impediments to marriage. Best wishes and God Bless.

[Frieda Arpoika]

A baptized Catholic's marriage is only valid if either celebrated with a Catholic priest or deacon presiding or if a dispensation was granted by the diocese so the marriage can be performed by a non-Catholic minister and still be valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church. If you did not get a dispensation from the Catholic Church than your marriage was not valid if performed by a non-Catholic minister. Therefore you can apply for what is called a "Lack of Form Application for Annulment" which usually only takes a few weeks because it is based on the fact that your first marriage did not "follow proper (canon law) form". You'll need a newly issued copy of your baptismal certificate from your parish of baptism, with "NOTATIONS" which would record if there has been a Catholic marriage. Also your marriage certificate and divorce decree and you can go to your parish and sign that application. Your parish will send the application in to the diocese and also assist you in a "convalidation" of your vows. Parished do "convalidations" of existing civil marriages all the time, and it is a great way to raise your already existing civil marriage to the level of a sacramental marriage - and return into full communion with your Catholic Church.