Annulments

THE ANNULMENT PROCESS

Which of these statements are true?

·        A divorced person is automatically excommunicated and cannot receive Communion.

·        An annulment makes children illegitimate.

·        Only rich people can get annulments.

·        An annulment is just a “Catholic Divorce.”

·        Protestant marriages aren't recognized because they are outside the church.

·         A marriage with children cannot be annulled.

You may be surprised to learn that all are FALSE! But all are statements that have been made to me about the annulment process.
 

What is an annulment and why is it necessary to get an annulment?

The Catholic Church believes that the joining of a woman and a man in the Sacrament of Matrimony is sacred. When marriage takes place between two baptized Christians, it is a Sacrament. Scripture begins with the creation story where God declared: “It is not good that man should be alone. I will make a partner for him.” God established marriage as a holy institution for all people and for all time. Christ confirmed the sanctity of marriage in his teachings (see Matthew 19:3-9 and Mark 10:9). For over two thousand years, the Catholic Church has held fast to this teaching of Jesus Christ. Once two people exchange consent to marry (I do's in the marriage ceremony) the church presumes the marriage is valid.
 

There are some circumstances under which a marriage might not be valid. At the time of the wedding, the consent a couple gives to each other may have been “defective” or “lacking” altogether. If this is the case, then no sacramental marriage bond existed and the church, through the annulment process, would determine that the person may remarry.
 

The annulment process investigates the circumstances under which the marriage takes place, and based on evidence presented, determines whether the marriage was sacramentally valid at the time of the marriage. If not, then the person would be free to remarry.
 

If you or someone you know is divorced and have questions about a previous marriage and want to remarry, contact one of the priests or deacons to discuss your situation. Circumstances regarding previous marriages and divorce are different and there is not one response for all persons and situation. The annulment process is intended to bring healing and be life giving.