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Teresa —
Assuming no prior marriages, the sexual sin and
unconfessed mortal sin does not render a sacrament
invalid. It only means that the sinners are incapable
of receiving the grace of the sacrament (the actual
graces, the supernatural help it gives) until they
repent (him) and confess (you).
As for the validity of the marriage, it is complex.
The Society was schismatic at the time so, without an official Catholic witness, one would
have needed a dispensation to get married before
him. Lacking
that dispensation, the marriage would generally be
invalid due to defect of form (which
applies only to Catholics, who are required to marry
within the Church — not the building, but
within the rite and by the witness of the clergy.) In
any case, this is not something we can determine.
It is up to the Church.
The good thing is this is simple to determine
and very easy to rectify, if rectification is needed.
The marriage can be validated very simply, before
a priest, with the consent of both parties. It can be a lovely opportunity to renew one's marriage vows.
Just talk to your local pastor.
With no previous
spouses, you probably won't even have to do any paperwork.
Blessings on you both!
Mary Ann
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