Ask the Experts

Home: Second Weddings: Religious Issues:
Can a person who married in a lutheran church remarry in Catholic church?

anybess
New User

Post #1 of 4 (3400 views)

Can a person who married in a lutheran church remarry in Catholic church?

Hi my name is Ana. My boyfriend and I really want to get married by the catholic church.However, he was previously married by the Lutheran church. He got married when he was 18 because his girlfriend then, got pregnant. He was in many ways immature to such big steps. Few years have passed and we want to do things right. What do we have to do be able to get married? Does he need an annulment from the Lutheran church or from the catholic church?

please help. I'm very worried that we won't be able to get married.

(This post was edited by the_admin on Dec 22, 2009, 11:01 PM)

Frieda Arpoika
CATHOLIC LAY PASTORAL MINISTER

Post #2 of 4 (3390 views)

Re: [anybess] Can a person who married in a lutheran church remarry in cathoic church? [In reply to]

Hi, Ana,
You didn't mention whether your boyfriend is a baptized Catholic? If he is not, and he and his ex-wife both were non-Catholic, and it was both of their first marriage, then their marriage needs an annulment by the Catholic Church since it would be considered valid by Catholic standards.
If, however, he was a baptized Catholic who married in the Lutheran Church, then he did not follow the canon law that applies to baptized Catholics. Based on that fact the Catholic Church can declare his marriage null without the long process of annulment. He would merely apply for a "Lack of Form" declaration of nullity.

You can call your local parish for the necessary application forms.
Frieda Arpoika
Catholic Lay Pastoral Minister
St. Daniel Catholic Community

anybess
New User

Post #3 of 4 (3387 views)

Re: [Frieda Arpoika] Can a person who married in a lutheran church remarry in cathoic church? [In reply to]

Thank you so much for your reply. My boyfriend has never been baptized catholic. He was baptized in the lutheran church when he got married.Based on the information you gave me, that means that he would need to get an annulment by the catholic church. I have no idea how that works or what do we have to do or where do we have to go fot that. Do you know approximately how long it would take for that to take place?....

Frieda Arpoika
CATHOLIC LAY PASTORAL MINISTER

Post #4 of 4 (3381 views)

Re: [anybess] Can a person who married in a lutheran church remarry in cathoic church? [In reply to]

Depending on what diocese you live in, an annulment takes at least a year or longer. Call your parish and ask to speak to someone who can help you with applying for an annulment. Priests, deacons and trained lay staff at the parish can help yo with the process. The secretary can direct you to the right person.
Frieda Arpoika
Catholic Lay Pastoral Minister
St. Daniel Catholic Community