I don't know if this is an appropriate forum for this, but I am interested in hearing other people's experiences in getting annullments in order to marry in a Catholic Church. I am engaged to a Catholic woman presently. I was previously married and divorced, and because of this I am not allowed to get married to my fiancee in the Catholic Church. I am told that the annullment process takes over a year, is this true?

-- Ray (rayman_98@hotmail.com), December 27, 2000

Answers

Response to Annullments in the Catholic Church

It really depends on how complicated the investigation is. Remember an Annulment is a process to determine if a valid marriage took place. If there is some defect in the marriage then a "Decree of Nullity" is issued and you are free to marry. If it is found that the marriage is valid then you are not free to marry.

-- Br. Rich SFO (repsfo@prodigy.net), December 27, 2000.

Response to Annullments in the Catholic Church

Thank you for your response. I have some more details to add. We have been in touch with the Monseigneur of the Church who told us what you pointed out above. That is to say that the annullment process is to prove that my previous marriage was invalid. He said that there were 5 things in the Catholic Church that determined a valid marriage. I can't completely recall what those 5 things are. I have been provided with a form to fill out that includes 61 questions about me, my ex- spouse and our marriage.

I respect the Cathoic Church's beliefs and laws, but it seems like this form asks a lot of personal and detailed questions about my prior marriage. I'm finding it hard to accept that the Catholic Church needs all of this information and is making us wait a whole year to sort this all out. Do you have any words of advice? And if you can educate me as to what the 5 things are that the Catholic Church deems a marriage valid, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

-- Ray (rayman_98@hotmail.com), December 28, 2000.

Response to Annullments in the Catholic Church

I know that one of the things is the inability to make a commitment. If you can prove that your ex-spouse was never able to make a solid commitment to your marriage, you should have no problems. You will have to have your witnesses corroborate your statements though. My cousin got an annullment because his ex-wife refused to have children. This was a while back though, but I believe it is still a valid reason. A friend of mine got an annullment a few years ago on the grounds of immaturity. He claimed that he was too young at the time of the marriage. This may go hand in hand with the commitment reason.

The process is based on the fact that you are the plaintiff and you are making a request to nullify the marriage. Well, the marriage is technically the defendent but it is not a real person to defend it on a witness stand, so they assign a priest (or someone trained in these matters) to be the 'attorney' for the defendent. They scrutinize your statements and those of your witnesses for inconsistancies vs. truth. That is why it takes so long in some cases. I guess there are people who don't really have valid reasons for wanting an annullment. As long as you are telling the truth, are sincere, and you have witnesses who are willing to tell their side to the best of their ability, (and their observations match yours), you should get your annullment. The hardest part will be dredging up old memories which may be painful. Some people say, though, that by doing this, it is cleansing and provides closure.

Anyway, I hope this helps you some. Feel free to email me if you would like. I am no expert but I have been there and am now happily married. Good luck and God bless.

-- Lu (ljmckin@aol.com), January 05, 2001.

Response to Annullments in the Catholic Church

Again i state! "Take What The Word (Christ) Says" not what the pope, church, catacism. etc... says Reading the other lil return speeches, I failed to see ONE SCRIPTURE that you guys menched, maybe it was cause you guys didnt mench any.. (smile)

Come On Guys!!! Where is the leadership of the Word (Christ) here!! He is the one that said " I Am The Way The Truth and The Light"!!!

Ray, Notice,.. Theres no ground for her to remarry, or date, unless her husband is dead.... ROMANS 7:2 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to [her] husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of [her] husband.

ROMANS 7:3 3 So then if, while [her] husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

Jesus said MATTHEW 5:32 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Fornication is when u have an affiar as a single person, not married

Adultery is when u have an affair and you are married, u sin against your vow to your spouse

The only way i would see for a person to remarry, is if one of the spouses had an affair as a "Single/fornication" person before the vows/marriage takes place, and not tell there mate until After they marry... that way, since everything wasnt revealed before the vows, the vows were not a true,... thats what is meant when Jesus says "saving for the cause of fornication".. cause fornication is only to a single person.... Take the Word, Christ as your guide, not the Church

No Law but Love, No Creed but Christ, No Book but the Bible

-- Dr. TaiChi (hpuxor@yahoo.com), January 05, 2001.

Response to Annullments in the Catholic Church

Ray,

You will probably be suprised to read this. I am responding to your question of anullment. I live in Australia, I am trying to get an anullment & the process is draining me. I was married just under 2 years to an abusive Australian born with Croatian backgroud man. He was not committed to me or our marriage & I put up with his ways for that long. I have moved on since, I got a divorce, met my future husband & I am planning to be getting married in Feb 2002. I am hoping that my anullment is going to go through so that I may get married in the Catholic Church again. How is it all going with you? Is it over yet? I would love to hear from you. Regards, Suzana

-- Suzana Vidakovic (suzyv72@hotmail.com), May 09, 2001.