[lsdubois]

I am Jewish and am considering marrying my Catholic boyfriend. We would be married by a reform Rabbi. What does my boyfriend need to do to release himself from his first marriage which took place in the Catholic church to a Catholic woman? He already is divorced by the civil courts. He is not planning on converting to Judaism but no longer is very active in the church. We plan to keep a Jewish home but his children were raised Catholic so he will probably not convert to Judaism.

[the_admin]

Please speak to your Rabbi about what he requires from your fiance in order to marry the two of you.

[RevSusanna]

If you are planning to raise your children Jewish and your beloved is already divorced, then you should be able to find a reformed Rabbi or cantor that will marry you without any further requirements. Jewish lineage runs through the mother. Civil divorces are recognized in the Reformed movement of the Jewish religion.

In the back of my book, Joining Hands and Hearts, Interfaith, Intercultural Wedding Celebrations, there is a telephone directory for doing so---and sample interfaith ceremonies as well. Also, search the web and your local telephone directory.

Shalom!

Susanna

Rev. Susanna Stefanachi Macomb