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Alain Labranche
wrote:
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Hi, guys —
I use to live in a common law relationship for over ten years but now I found someone that I want to married. I am being told my fiancée and I may not be able to get married in Catholic Church because I lived in a common law relationship before and it is like being married.
- Is there any truth to this because it does not make any sense to me?
Sincerely,
Alain L.
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Is it true that because I've been in a common law relationship the Church can't marry us? }
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Bob replied:
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Alain,
The former relationship is not considered to be a valid marriage and therefore does not require an annulment. You should go to Confession and talk to a priest about your former life and resolve to live a truly Catholic Christian life before marrying in the Church.
In short, you are free to marry, but make sure you intend to live an honest faithful life as a Catholic so as to have a truly blessed union.
Peace,
Bob Kirby
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Fr. Jonathan replied:
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Hi, Alain —
Actually, it's not as simple as Bob makes it out to be. His answer could be either right or wrong depending on your answers to these questions:
- How are you defining a common law relationship?
- What State were you in?
- Was your relationship recognized as a marriage by your State?
- What faith are you and your fiancée?
- What faith was the person in the previous relationship?
IF your fiancée is non-Catholic and her former common-law partner was non-Catholic, and Common Law marriage is recognized by her particular state, (e.g. Texas), then the advice she was given is correct and she would need an annulment.
Fr. Jonathan
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