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Timothy Jones
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Hi, guys —
I am going to become a Catholic. I was baptized in the Episcopal church at the age of twelve.
My wife filed for divorce in 1984 and the legal divorce went through.
I am legally divorced but was told by the office at St. Theresa Church in Kihei that the marriage must be annulled by the Episcopal Church. I contacted the church where we were married and was told they consider the legal divorce, an annulment, so I am stuck. They told me the Episcopal church no longer does annulments which prevents me from becoming a Catholic.
The next RCIA is not until next September but I found an on-line RCIA course and will join that web site so I can understand the teachings of the Catholic Church, though I already know the teachings; that is why I am converting to your wonderful Church.
I would like to speed things up and rather than wait until September.
Aloha Nui Loa (All my love)
from Maui, Hawaii
Timothy P. Jones
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{
Do I need to have my marriage annulled in the Episcopal church in order to become a Catholic? }
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Mike replied:
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Hi, Timothy —
Thanks for the question and welcome to the family!
Your specific question is not my strong area, though we have others who will probably get back to you with an answer your question.
Seeing you may be preparing to take RCIA classes in the near future, I would encourage you to consider buying a cheap copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to learn everything we believe as faithful Catholics.
Under each boxed format for the Catechism you want, you will see, below the box, an option to buy a used version, which many times, is not really used but close to new.
Mike
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Mary Ann replied:
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Dear Timothy,
The office at St. Theresa Church misinformed you or gave you the incorrect information.
You can start RCIA without having an annulment. Divorced people are allowed in the Catholic Church, as long as they are not remarried. If you are remarried, you would have to have your marriages looked at by the Church for validity; (they can't both be valid!) Even so, you can still enter RCIA.
If you are remarried and you need to have an annulment of your previous marriage, you may still enter RCIA, and be baptized, as long as you promise to live celibately with your current partner. There are other aspects that may also come in to play, depending on your circumstances. However, if Catholic parish told you that you needed to get an annulment from the Episcopal church, they told you something completely wrong. You do need a divorce to seek an annulment, (in most dioceses of the USA), and you already have that.
If you want to become Catholic, or start the process before September, talk to a priest.
Most RCIA's do start in September, and it is best to be part of that process, because joining is more than learning the doctrines. It is also becoming part of the community and undergoing all the traditional rituals of preparation for Baptism. A priest can help you sort these things out.
Mary Ann
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Timothy replied:
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Aloha,
Thank you very much for the quick answer. I am greatly relieved about the marriage issue.
- No, I'm not married and have no plans to do so. That removes a big mountain for me.
- Yes, I look forward to the RCIA program and I have also found one online RCIA which will be a help prepare me for the RCIA at St. Theresa Church in September. I will continue to go to the Church and just sit and learn.
One last question.
- Is a certificate of Baptism from the Episcopal church necessary?
I would think it would not be necessary if I can be re-baptized by the Catholic Church which would be my preference. If it is necessary, I'll send for the certificate of Baptism.
Again, thanks so much for the help; I was very confused.
Timothy Jones
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Mary Ann replied:
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Timothy,
The Church considers Episcopalian Baptism valid. If you cannot prove Baptism, you can be baptized conditionally.
I'm so glad I could help.
Mary Ann
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Fr. Jonathan replied:
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Hi, Tim —
You will need a final divorce decree of some sort, but you do not need the Episcopal church to annul the marriage. You must have misheard the person giving you instruction. Perhaps [he/she] said that you will need a declaration of nullity for your Episcopal Marriage, but that is speaking of a Catholic declaration of nullity, not an Episcopal one.
Other things to think about:
If so, there is the possibility of a “Lack of Form” case if she was a Catholic and never contacted the Catholic Church prior to your marriage (a long shot).
- Are you remarried or getting remarried?
If not, your prior marriage should not prevent you from entering the Catholic Church as long as you understand, that if some day you want to get married again, you are not free to marry until you get the declaration of nullity.
Hope this helps.
Fr. Jonathan
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