Q. 1. I have two questions. First of all, is the marriage between two non-baptised persons before a Justice of the Peace valid? Secondly, if they were to divorce and one of them wants to marry a Catholic, would he/she need an annulment?

A. 1. Those are two interesting questions. Regarding the first question, because the Catholic Church recognizes other religious or civil ceremonies, the marriage between two non-baptised persons before a Justice of the Peace is considered valid.

Secondly, should one of the non-baptised persons divorce and want to marry a Catholic person, he/she would have to go through the annulment process because their first marriage is considered as being valid.

It should be said again, the Catholic Church takes it seriously when two persons make marriage vows. It assumes that they meant what they said unless it can be proven that they were not capable of doing what we said due to psychological, emotional, or physical impediments.