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Dear Tim,
Thanks for the questions.
Your marriage is valid. For a Catholic Priest could not have presided over a ceremony that would be invalid due to some impediment, such as a prior marriage that has not been deemed null. Rest easy, you're good.
As for your niece, if she is a baptized Catholic but is not practicing her faith, you cannot preside over such a ceremony without being complicit in a serious sin.
Catholics are obliged to marry validly in the church, and this would be anything but that. I believe the principle would also extend to Christians of other denominations, but I would have to check on that.
In the case where she may have apostatized and rejects the Catholic faith, the principle is still in effect. There is a lot more to this canon law, and it is a little complicated, but there are some articles online that deal with these topics in more detail:
I'm sorry that you are in this awkward position, but we all get put in these circumstances sooner or later as the world forgets God. There will be challenges for us all in the future in order to hold the faith, but take courage, when you stand on principle, especially the one's God gave us, you will be okay and God will uphold you. Just be sure and tell your niece how much you love them both and hope they will return to the faith (if that is the case) and get married in church.
Peace,
Bob Kirby |
