I learn something new everyday.
I amend what I said, then:
In 48 of 50 states, as well, there are no such things as “remarriage licenses,” or at least, as far as a state-by-state Internet search reveals (Texas also has a provision for “remarriage” to someone to whom you're currently married, although this seems aimed, at least in part, toward making public previously “secret” marriages.).
I will, however, reiterate my first point:
A marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian can be valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church. It isn't necessary for both parties to be Catholic.
As well, when people talk about having their marriages “blessed” in the Catholic Church, they may be talking about either sanation of the marriage, or convalidation of the marriage, which aren't quite the same as the initial reception of the sacrament of marriage, in that, as I understand it, the validation of the marriage through these processes is retroactively effective to the date of the original putative marriage.
sitetest
Hi Sitetest,
Noted, I learn new things everyday too. On your first point my knowledge of these specifics is at its limits, so I won’t pretend to offer any more helpful information on what distinctions are made within a blessing. I’m just simply asserting that it is not the sacrament of marriage. For me, it was important to marry someone that could make that sacrament with me in the Catholic church. Thus, I was looking for confirmed Catholics only, or someone who was willing to go through the conversion process fully.
I was lucky the girl I married had a step-father who had her baptized at 5 and then supported her mother and her through communion and confirmation later (and her mother who converted from Lutheran), which later in her life made that possible for us! Her original father was a non-practicing Anglican.
The reason I'm asking is marriage has been around a LOT longer than the Catholic church and is found in ALL societies (in some shape or form) even before writing was invented. It is a contract, of sorts, between a man and woman - often involving both families - and is binding on both husband and wife. That was why divorce was invented - a man couldn't just walk off and the marriage made invalid. In America a state marriage license is required prior to when a marriage ceremony/rite is performed (blood tests used to be done along with the application) and the marriage is considered just as valid and just as legally binding whether it is a priest, minister, pastor, rabbi, imam or justice of the peace/notary public said the words and heard the vows.
So, talking about churches giving their "blessings" is more about feelings than it is about validity. Do you agree?