Dear Konrad or Mikey:

Canon Law pertains to the law for Catholics. Non-Catholics are not bound by our law unless they wish to convert. The Church cannot make laws for those who are not Catholic and certainly not for non-Christians. The Catholic Church has jurisdiction over Christian doctrine and discipline, not secular or other religious groups. The Catholic Church cannot dictate to other religions.

The Church testifies to the Truth of God, however, and does have jurisdiction over Christian doctrine. Thus, the Church declares that there is one Baptism. Even Protestants who baptized validly according to the definition of the Catholic Church, are, thereby, Catholic in an imperfect sense. The Church teaches that any man and women who are baptized, even if Protestant, are sacramentally baptized. The Church teaches that any baptized person who married a non-Christian is not sacramental. This applies to all Christians, not just to Catholics.

But, the details of these things cannot be enforced to non-Catholics. The Catholic Church only has "direct" jurisdiction over Catholics and those converting.

Anyway, Catholics believe that a Sacramental marriage can only be between two baptized people (a man and a woman). A non-Sacramental marriage, even in the Church can still be considered valid in some cases. In the case of a Catholic marrying a unbaptized person, as long as the bishop gives permission for the marriage, and the marriage is performed according to "canonical form", the marriage is valid, the Catholic person is in good standing with the Church, but the marriage is not sacramental. In this case the marriage is valid for the Catholic person by dispensation.

As for two unbaptized persons getting married and not converting, that marriage is not sacramental, but is civilly valid, or in the case of another religion valid by the rules of that religion. They are married.

We acknowledge that the persons were married in their respective traditions, or we acknowledge that the persons were only civilly married, but these are not sacramental or valid within the Church.

As long as these people do not convert they are subject only to the laws of the state, and the laws of their religion. If these persons converted, then their marriages would have to undergo whatever procedures are required under Catholic law that apply to their respective situations.

The issue of legitimacy is no longer an issue in the Church. All children are a blessing. Legitimacy is only a for secular law.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary