Dear Bob,

In reading this question, I don't see where Jennifer (a Baptized Catholic) was married in the Catholic Church. It appears that she may have been married in the Episcopal Church and then later educated her children in the Catholic Church. If this is the case and she were actually married in the Episcopal Church her marriage would be invalid as a Baptized Catholic and therefore she wouldn't need an annulment, would she?

Here is part of the question:

"I hope I have all the details straight by my friend [Jennifer, let us say] was baptized Catholic but did not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Jennifer had her first of two children out of wedlock and local parish priest refused to baptize the baby. As such, Jennifer had the baby baptized in the local Episcopalian church. Fast forward a few years and she received her confirmation in the Episcopalian church and her soon-to-be husband was baptized as an adult, for the first time it seems, as an Episcopalian and also confirmed as such. Their next baby was likewise baptized as an Episcopalian."

"The children were later taken to the original Catholic parish and raised as such, going through CCD, etc. The oldest is now a year away from receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation"

That's correct. It will be a lack of form case, which can be declared either by the local Tribunal through a very simple documentary process or even by the pastor preparing her for a future Catholic marriage (cf. canons 1066-1067 and 1984 PCILT official interpretation of these canons from August 1984).

I hope this answers your question.

Peace and blessings! Bob

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