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Lisa Hollett wrote:

Hi, guys —

Let me give you some background. I am currently 50 years old. I was baptized Presbyterian but converted to an Episcopalian at age 29. Now it seems I am unwelcome everywhere. I live in Texas . . . no place for divorced women and single mothers.

I was confirmed and married in the Episcopal Church. I have been divorced for 8 years. About a year into the marriage, my husband told me, It was all a lie and that he was really an atheist.

I have two questions:

  1. Do I need to have my marriage annulled before I can become Catholic?

I have been living a celibate life since my divorce.

  1. If I have the marriage annulled, does that make my daughter illegitimate since the marriage will have never occurred?

I continued to raise my daughter in the Episcopal church and she was baptized and confirmed in same manner as I was. Like me, she too is looking at becoming a Catholic.

Thanks for any help.

Lisa
  { Do I need an annulment before we can become Catholic and would my daughter be illegitimate? }

Mary Ann replied:

Hi, Lisa —

You do not need to have your marriage declared null before entering the Church. That is only necessary if and when you plan to marry and deception is a very strong grounds for a declaration of nullity.

Secondly, having your marriage declared null does not mean your daughter is illegitimate.

All children of presumed of putative marriages are considered legitimate and, of course, your children are legitimate under civil law also.

Prayers and blessings on your journey!!

Mary Ann
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