Bringing you the "Good News" of Jesus Christ and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's magisterium
Home About
AskACatholic.com
What's New? Resources The Church Family Life Mass and
Adoration
Ask A Catholic
Knowledge base
AskACatholic Disclaimer
Search the
AskACatholic Database
Donate and
Support our work
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New Questions
Cool Catholic Videos
About Saints
Disciplines and Practices for distinct Church seasons
Purgatory and Indulgences
About the Holy Mass
About Mary
Searching and Confused
Contemplating becoming a Catholic or Coming home
Homosexual and Gender Issues
Life, Dating, and Family
No Salvation Outside the Church
Sacred Scripture
non-Catholic Cults
Justification and Salvation
The Pope and Papacy
The Sacraments
Relationships and Marriage situations
back
Specific people, organizations and events
Doctrine and Teachings
Specific Practices
Church Internals
Church History

Kathryne Allen wrote:

Hi, guys —

I am a Catholic woman who is separated from my husband. We were not married in the Church or by a priest, but had a civil union. I have met someone who is also Catholic and am wondering if we can date.

  • Can I then remarry in the Church or do I need to get my first marriage annulled?

Kathryne

  { If I'm separated from a civil union, can we date and remarry in Church or do I need an annulment? }

Eric replied:

Kathryne,

The Church would advise you to get an annulment — which you would need to remarry — before going out and dating, but since you are Catholic and got married outside the Church, it should be a short and straightforward process.

It is crystal clear that your first marriage was invalid.

Eric

Kathryne replied:

Eric,

  • I am newly separated so does this mean I have to wait a year to date?

I'm new to the faith so there's lots I'm learning.

  • What if I meet someone before my divorce is finalized?

Kathryne

Eric replied:

Kathryne,

For you, I don't think it will take a year to get a annulment, perhaps much less; consult your priest however. It is not recommended to date before your divorce is finalized since, after all, you are technically still married until you are divorced.

Granted, you are not married in the eyes of God, but it still seems to me bad form to date while you are married, even if it is only a civil marriage. Moreover, you can't get an annulment until you are divorced. Perhaps it's a topic you can bring up with your priest when you discuss the annulment with him.

Eric

Kathryne replied:

Eric,

Thank you for the advice. I am in such turmoil because I just met an amazing man who is a strong Catholic. The timing sucks.

Kathryne

Eric replied:

Kathryne,

If he respects you and is right for you, he will wait for you.

Nothing says you can't have a heart-to-heart and say you're interested but you need to finish your annulment first.

  • If he's a gentleman he will respect that.
  • If not, he probably wasn't a good choice anyway.

For all you know, your concern for propriety might increase his interest in you. I'd certainly be turned on if a woman did that with me.

Eric

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
© 2012 Panoramic Sites
The Early Church Fathers Church Fathers on the Primacy of Peter. The Early Church Fathers on the Catholic Church and the term Catholic. The Early Church Fathers on the importance of the Roman Catholic Church centered in Rome.