John —

A divorce is only an issue when there is a remarriage. If you remain unmarried and abstinent, there will absolutely be no issue, so welcome to the Catholic Church!

The reason for the problem is that Christ doesn't recognize divorce (and neither do we), thus if you have relations with another woman before your spouse dies, you are formally committing adultery, at least until it is established that the first marriage was null and void from the beginning.

Consequently, if you do not have relations, there is nothing stopping you from entering the Church.

Eric

Hi, John —

I would add that if your wife was unhappy with you becoming baptized, you may have grounds for dissolution of the marriage by the Pauline Privilege.

In any case, Eric is right — there is no obstacle to you becoming Catholic now, and receiving Holy Communion.

If you wish to marry again, you would have to have your previous marriage reviewed by the Church.

Mary Ann