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Matthew,
If your friend got a dispensation
from the Catholic Church to marry
in another church, and if he had
an official Catholic witness present
there in the form of a priest or
deacon, he would be validly married.
However, I assume, by your question,
that this wasn't the case.
Personally, I don't like the term blessed when
it comes to declaring a marriage
either valid or null and void by
the Church. A marriage of a Catholic
that marries outside the Catholic
Church is presumed unblessed and
invalid. An invalid marriage is not
simply a marriage without a blessing,
but rather a non-marriage.
Your friend should see his pastor
about making this union a valid marriage.
In the meantime, your friend should
refrain from all marital relations
until or unless this occurs.
Remember, the authority of the Catholic
Church is the authority of Christ.
What the Church sees as invalid is
presumed to be invalid in the eyes
of God.
Peace,
Paul
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