Author Topic: Pre-baptismal divorce (Read 929 times)

spouse of Jesus · « **on:** June 14, 2011, 10:58:45 AM »

I was praying for conversion of someone who is divorced and remarried. Then I wondered what would happen if my prayers would be answered. Will such a one have to return to the first spouse?
Another question: If someone is divorced before baptism and then converts can s/he seek another husband/wife?

LordPhan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:24:47 AM »

Lack of form I believe.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2011, 12:30:03 PM »

Well definition of marriage is different in different faiths. In Islam for example, they usually clarify divorce conditions and write them down at the same time they are reciting the formula. So may be the intention is lacking?
If a marriage formula says:" I marry N and N according to the tradition of (insert name of a leader) then it is lack of form?

TKGS · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2011, 03:15:38 PM »

There is no problem here. Even completely legal marriages contracted among pagans can be legitimately broken with a right to remarry one party of the marriage objects to the conversion of the other and puts her (or him) away.

Baptism makes one a completely new man. The only requirement I have ever heard of a convert to Christianity is that he absolutely MUST have no more than one wife after his is baptized. If he has more than one wife, he must choose one and only one to remain his wife in the eyes of the Church. He may have to continue to support the others according to justice and civil law, but he may not have marital relations with them.

In his biography, Archbishop Lefebvre said that this was a difficulty in conversions in Africa where some men had more than one wife and often they would not accept monogamy.

spouse of Jesus · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2011, 09:24:18 PM »

So you mean there is no requirement in such cases to go to a bishop or ask for permission etc.?

TKGS · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:20:08 PM »

Quote from: spouse of Jesus

So you mean there is no requirement in such cases to go to a bishop or ask for permission etc.?

Does he need to ask permission to convert to the True Faith? No.

Does he need to ask permission to remain married to the person he is currently married to according to law? No.

If he has any pangs against his conscience he needs to talk to a good traditional priest. Unfortunately, where you are he is likely to find none, so he must do what his conscience tells him is right. This may change the more he learns the of the Sacred Mysteries of the Catholic Faith.