Convalidation of Civil Marriages in the Catholic Church 

Dear Mark, The common perception of annulments in the Catholic Church is negative - many think of it as a long, painful and intrusive process that, if successful, declares that a true, valid Catholic marriage never existed, even in cases where the couple was married for years and raised children together. The fact is that the Church never denies that a legal marriage existed and that love was present in the marriage, but rather, that an essential element of the sacramental nature of the marriage was not there when the marriage began. To enter a new, valid marriage in the Catholic Church, a declaration of nullity is needed, and both parties must heal from the wounds of their prior relationship to enter healthy new relationships. Professional counselors encourage clients seeking remarriage to wait an average of three years so they can confront and work through relationship difficulties, resolve family law issues, and do the work to become whole people again. As it turns out, the annulment process is one of the greatest gifts of the Church because it is a process of self-awareness, accountability, forgiveness and healing - the very tasks that must be accomplished before a healthy new marriage is possible. People who go through the annulment process are way ahead of the game when it comes to being fully prepared for a new marriage, and being open to the grace that makes successful, happy, life-long, Christ-centered remarriage possible. - Peg Hensler, Coordinator of Marriage Ministries, Diocese of Trenton

I agree, the church does everything in its power to make people feel less than and unworthy sinful people that are destined to hell with them. It is not a happy or healing process, it makes people feel like sinners and that their children are bastards. I do not see God in the process, only old men that have been brainwashed into thinking their way is the right way!

My husband and I are not and were not going through the annulment process and we had to get our marriage convalidated. Why is it that the church is more worried about divorce than marriage? Just because we were married in a park instead of the church does not mean we are not validly married and actually we are way more committed to each other than 90% of the people married in the Catholic Church!

@@melindaanne6036 Thank you for your thoughts on convalidation which likely reflect the views and concerns of other members of the Catholic Church. Marriage in the Church is a free choice - in fact, the consent of the couple, their decision to enter Catholic marriage freely and without reservation is necessary for a valid sacramental marriage. Sacramental marriage is a great gift to couples and gives them the supernatural strength (God’s grace) and the support of their parish community for the joys and struggles of marriage, but not all couples are ready for or desire a sacramental marriage when they first decide to marry. This is why our Holy Father, Pope Francis, emphasizes the need for mercy and a gradual response to God’s vocational call to marriage in the Church. Couples can’t be forced to marry in the Church but they are always invited to do so. We all know Catholic couples who have chosen to marry outside the Church but who exhibit many characteristics of a marriage in the Lord. With respect, kindness and compassion, as disciples we are called to accompany our brothers and sisters in Christ to the fullness of Holy Matrimony in the Church if that is what they desire. Peace, Peg Peg Hensler Associate Director for Marriage Ministries and NFP Department of Evangelization and Family Life Catholic Diocese of Trenton

but you convalidation will not be recognise buy you state .

My wife and I are in the same situation. We have to have a new ceremony but it's a lot more basic than the original wedding.

May God Bless you as you begin your journey. Because you are already civilly married you would begin the process of convalidating your marriage. You can visit the Diocesan website for more information and a few videos from others that have gone through the process. dioceseoftrenton.org/convalidation

You could try for a Radical sanation. Then you wouldn’t have to get married in the church and have a second anniversary and feel like your marriage didn’t mean anything.

Thank you for contacting us with your question. With regard to being open to life, each couple must determine together when to have children and how many children to have. All Catholic couples are called to responsible parenthood. They are not expected to have more children than they can handle, however, they are called to use natural methods of family planning that are safe and effective rather than contraceptives or permanent sterilization. Being open to life means that if the wife should have an unplanned pregnancy, the couple would accept the child as a gift from God. If circumstances were such that the couple absolutely could not care for another child, they could give the child up for adoption. In the end it is the decision of the couple before God. For more information, visit our website at www.dioceseoftrenton.org/natural-family-planning.

Convalidation Is not recognized by the God is only recognize by the catholic church.is not recognized by the God because the priest doesn't sign the married courthouse and only ceremony who have administration recognize is recognize by the God if the priest sign before the married courthouse wedding certificate them yes is recognize by God.

First, we congratulate you on your decision to bring your marriage into the Catholic Church. The official term for this is convalidation - making your civil marriage valid in the Catholic Church. The priest you are working with in your parish is responsible for your preparation for Catholic marriage, a process that takes some time. There is also some paper work that needs to be completed prior to the convalidation marriage ceremony. Below is a summary of the convalidation process that can be found on the Diocese of Trenton website (www.dioceseoftrenton.org/convalidation). Please feel free to share this with your priest and let him know he can contact me with any questions or concerns. Peace, Peg Hensler Associate Director for Marriage Ministries phensler@dioceseoftrenton.org; 609-403-7156

If you married in courthouse them the priest bless you civil wedding what they said the priest not married you only bless.priest only can married people when they single of you married in the courthouse you not single.