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Al wrote:

Hi, guys —

I was baptized as an infant at a Catholic parish. Several months later, my birth mother gave me to another woman. She sent me to a Protestant church. They baptized me, unaware of the original Baptism.

In my late teens, I married my girlfriend, also a Protestant, in a Protestant marriage service.
We separated and were divorced.

After some years, I married a Protestant via a Justice of the Peace. We eventually divorced.

A couple of years ago, I completed RCIAwas confirmed, and received my First Holy Communion.

I am now wondering about my two previous marriages and whether they would be considered valid by the Church.

Any references that you could provide with your reply would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Al

  { Based on my background, would my two previous marriages be considered valid by the Church? }

Eric replied:

Hi, Al —

According to Canon 1086 § 1.:

A marriage between two persons, one of whom has been baptized in the Catholic Church or received into it and has not defected from it by a formal act and the other of whom is not baptized, is invalid.

Code of Canon Law, Canon 1086 § 1

This would suggest your two marriages were invalid. However yours is an extraordinary case.
As none of us have a degree in canon law, the only way to know for sure is to apply for annulments, which you would need anyway.

Be sure you can get your hands on your Catholic baptismal certificate.

Eric

Al replied:

Eric,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the time you have taken in considering the matter.

I'll be consulting with a priest in the near future so, hopefully, there will be some forthcoming clarity.

Again, thank you for your assistance.

Al

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