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[KARENA]

IF A CATHOLIC PERSON MARRIES A DIVORCED NON CATHOLIC  BY A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE AND WANTS TO BE REMARRIED OR HAVE THE MARRIAGE BLESSED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WOULD THE MARRIAGE BY THE JP CAUSE A PROBLEM?  I KNOW THAT THE PERSON DIVORCED WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FOR AN ANULLMENT FOR THE FIRST MARRIAGE. THANKS

[Terence IRL]

The short answer to your question is - YES, there is a major problem.

First and foremost, civil ceremonies though erroneously called 'marriages' are not marriages - they are merely a 'licence' to commit Adultery. Marriage is a Sacrament, which can only be properly and validly ministered (in this case) by a Catholic Priest in a Catholic Church, since one party is a Catholic.

In this case, what is clear from what you have said, is that the non-catholic is already married, and has now entered an Adulterous relationship along with the Catholic partner.

Secondly, a Declaration of Nullity, which again is erroneously called 'annullment' is not a right. Only the Tribunal, after an extensive investigation can determine the outcome - and it is not unusual for the Tribunal in it's findings to declare the first marriage as being wholly Valid.

I'm sure this isn't the answer you wanted, but the position of these two people is quite clear. Certainly, if the non-catholic believes and can prove that their marriage was invalid due to an impediment - then an application to the Tribunal would be the correct course to take, but always keeping in mind that a Declaration of Nullity is not a right, and, that the Tribunal could find against the applicant. The submission of the required papers does not in anyway entitle them to continue to live in Adultery.

Other than the 'civil legal rights' which come with a civil ceremony - a 'marriage' by a Justice of the Peace or even a Judge of the Supreme Court has no value whatsoever.

[KARENA]

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS WOULD BE ADULTERY FOR HE IS NOT MARRIED TO THE FIRST PERSON.  THAT IS A BELIEF THAT THE CATHOLIC RELIGION TEACHES NOT THE REST OF THE WORLD.  I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LORD WOULD WANT PEOPLE TO SUFFER BECAUSE THEY HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE PERSON THEY WANT TO SPENT THEIR LIFE WITH AND THEIR RELIGION WHEN THEY COULD HAVE BOTH.  THIS DEFFINATELY MAKES ME RECONSIDER BEING A  CATHOLIC FORR 48 YEARS.

[E James]

For Terence IRL: 
Reference:  Other than the 'civil legal rights' which come with a civil ceremony - a 'marriage' by a Justice of the Peace or even a Judge of the Supreme Court has no value whatsoever.

     Are you saying that if two protestants were married in a civil ceremony, got divorced and then one became catholic then a "declaration of nullity" would not be needed for the now catholic person to get married?  If a catholic person marries a non catholic person in a civil ceremony what if any recognition does the Catholic church give it?

[Terence IRL]

The Catholic Church does not have "teachings" of its own. The teachings it imparts are exclusively those given by Christ. The 6th Commandment - "Thou shall not commit Adultery" is a Commandment from God for all of humanity - and not merely for Catholics. As part of the teachings given to the Church by Christ it says in the Catechism:

1650 Today there are numerous Catholics in many countries who have recourse to civil divorce and contract new civil unions. In fidelity to the words of Jesus Christ - "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery"160 the Church maintains that a new union cannot be recognized as valid, if the first marriage was. If the divorced are remarried civilly, they find themselves in a situation that objectively contravenes God's law. Consequently, they cannot receive Eucharistic communion as long as this situation persists. For the same reason, they cannot exercise certain ecclesial responsibilities. Reconciliation through the sacrament of Penance can be granted only to those who have repented for having violated the sign of the covenant and of fidelity to Christ, and who are committed to living in complete continence.

2384 Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law. It claims to break the contract, to which the spouses freely consented, to live with each other till death. Divorce does injury to the covenant of salvation, of which sacramental marriage is the sign. Contracting a new union, even if it is recognized by civil law, adds to the gravity of the rupture: the remarried spouse is then in a situation of public and permanent adultery:

If a husband, separated from his wife, approaches another woman, he is an adulterer because he makes that woman commit adultery, and the woman who lives with him is an adulteress, because she has drawn another's husband to herself.178

2400 Adultery, divorce, polygamy, and free union are grave offenses against the dignity of marriage.

Those are the Teachings of Christ.

Karena: you asked "IF A CATHOLIC PERSON MARRIES A DIVORCED NON CATHOLIC ....." IF they enter a civil union, or simply co-habit, then they are both comitting Adultery, because as you say one party is Divorced.

James: The Church does NOT recognise civil unions. However, to give clarity to the situation, on being satisfied that no marriage took place, then a declaration clearing the way for the couple to marry in the church is made. This is often confused as being the same as a Declaration of nullity. This is more of a formality than the process involved in establishing an "impediment" to what appears to have been a valid marriage. Civil unions therefore have no value whatsoever, other than the 'legal benefits and obligations', which the couple acquire.