According to people: The Catholic Church doesn't recognize a marriage outside the church.I'm not trying to start an argument but I've seen that said by a lot of posters on the various boards and I truly want to understand the thinking behind it. If that's true, than why would two people who are married before need to have their marriage annulled to get married in the church? Could they take communion in the Catholic church (assuming they are Catholic of course)? Or does it simply mean it isn't recognized as a Catholic marriage?