Does the Catholic church recognize civil marriage and a civil divorce?

Answer 1

Two baptized persons are recognized as married. [I'm pretty much certain that the answer below is wrong. The Church recognizes Protestant marriages as valid. While it would be illicit - i.e., wrongful - for a Catholic to marry outside the Church without dispensation, the marriage would still be valid. The Church would recognize the marriage - for example, they wouldn't need (nor would they be allowed) to be married again in a Catholic Church, as they would already be married.] Absolutely not! The church will only recognize a marriage in a catholic church! Answer: Civil marriage (no reqirement of religious affiliation or participation) is an option in most countries as are marriages performed in any church recognized by the country. The church has no option on recognizing the validity of the marriage. The church however may have some input as to whether the marriage has been "sanctified" Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1625 "The parties to a marriage covenant are a baptized man and woman, free to contract marriage, who freely express their consent."

Answer 2

If the Catholic member of the party was married by a Justice of the Peace with no church minister involvement, the marriage is not recognized by the church. The marriage can be validated in the church if you so desire; the non-catholic party will need to witness your oath to raise any children of the union as Catholic, and vow to a permanent commitment. If the non-catholic was previously married, there may be other complications.

Answer 3

Catholic AnswerOf course the church recognizes civil marriage and civil divorce. The church is concerned for people's souls, and that they are living a good life in conformity with the Gospel. Part of the Gospel is Jesus command to render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to obey all lawfully appointed rulers insofar as that does not conflict with the duties of religion. The Church would not marry someone without a legal marriage certificate from the state (they have to be eligible to be married and applied for a license). In the case of an annulment (the Church's ruling that no valid marriage ever existed), the first requirement is that there be a civil divorce. Also, even in the case of a valid marriage, there are cases where a civil divorce is permitted (for instance in abuse cases), the innocent party would still be able to receive the Sacraments but, not, of course, eligible to marry again while the divorced spouse was still alive. Another Perspective and Clarification

If you mean recognize as binding and legal within its community, the answer is no. A civil marriage is not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as a binding and legal Catholic marriage unless and until certain conditions are met. Most important, the sacrament of marriage does not inure to a civil marriage unless the marriage is brought into the Catholic Church according to its rules.

The Catholic Church regards marriage as life-long, therefore, it does not recognize divorce as a termination of a Catholic marriage. A civil divorce must be perfected by an ecclesiastical annulment. The requirements vary according to the circumstances such as either party being a non-Catholic or divorced.

See the summary of information at the related link.

Answer 4

The Catholic Church will recognize a marriage performed in a Mormon Church or by a Mormon Bishop as a legal marriage, but generally will not recognize it as a religious marriage unless the couple receives special permission from their Bishop.

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Catholic AnswerThe Church recognizes all marriages between a man and a woman who are free to marry as lawful, if they are recognized as such by the state. The Church only reserves to Herself, to judge when a marriage is a Christian sacrament.

Answer 5

Marriage may occur between a Catholic and a non-baptized person (known as Disparity of Worship) only with a dispensation. Any attempted marriage between a baptized Catholic and a unbaptized person would not be recognized otherwise.