I'm a Protestant (SBC) who married a Catholic. I attended RCIA but can't be accepted into the Church because I am previously divorced. Over 40 years ago.

I see these politicians and others who are Catholic and it seems because they were always Catholic they receive a pass on issues such as abortion, divorce, social issues, etc.

I see these Mark Walburg and Jonathan Roumey commercials about coming home.

I've seen the "Come Home" commercials on sports TV too.

I crave that yet there's no "coming home" for me. I've shared this with a Priest and was told I don't have enough passion. I've shared this with other Catholics and they tell me I should shop parishes until I locate a Priest who will "look the other way", "be more progressive" or "bend the rules". That's not something I want to do.

Meanwhile all of this has soured my wife's desire to attend church. We attended the Methodist church for many years as a compromise but its recent split was discouraging. Neither of us has attended church in several years now.

I do teach a Monday morning men's Bible study comprised of men of various denominations including Catholics. That's become my "church" but I know that's not church.

I am more and more convinced I should be in an Orthodox Church but I don't see a pathway. My wife doesn't want to go at all. It's not a good situation. We're in our 70's and were regularly at church from our 30's to our 60's.

I know this is venting but I needed to do it. This really gets to me so I take that as the Spirit moving me. I would appreciate any prayers.

Thank you.

The RCIA course you attended or priest you met with didn't give you any counsel on how to pursue an annulment and validate your current marriage? It sounds like the response on their end was not incredibly helpful or encouraging and I am sorry about that.

I don't have direct experience with this, but would think any decent Catholic Church would help point you in the right direction on how to go about beginning that process. I'd encourage you to reach out to other Catholic Churches or priests if that is something you desire.

TRD-Ferguson said:

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Thank you all for the replies. Very helpful.

We did discuss the annulment process. My RCIA priest was very helpful and supportive. My ex was not willing to agree to an annulment even though she had remarried. She's still not willing either.

It was another priest, not my RCIA priest, who questioned my passion. I was stunned and confused by that. My wife was beyond angry.

I've had nothing but support from Catholic friends. And, I don't have an argument with the Church. It's just frustrating to see some of these folk's outward actions and they fully participate yet I can't.

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Sorry you're having to go through this.

Your ex-wife doesn't get to decide on the annulment though. She can not cooperate with the process, but ultimately it's a fact finding process. She can choose to provide facts, or she can choose not to, but her feelings on "agreeing to an annulment" are irrelevant.