11 years ago I married a man in his Luthern Church. I am a practicing Catholic and at the time was told by my priest that I couldn't be married in the Catholic church because my husband to be had been married in the Catholic church before and didn't get his first marriage annulled. I did not get permission from the Bishop to get married in a non-Catholic church since the priest led me to believe I couldn't get that approval. The priest went on to tell me that my marriage would not be recognized by my faith due to my marrying someone who in the eyes of God was still married. Now, I have gotten divorced from this man and wonder if I still need to get an annullment? If this priest was telling the truth when he said that my marriage isn't recognized by the church then why would an annullment be necessary?

-- Madonna Corbett (corbett35@aol.com), April 02, 2001

Answers

Response to Is an annullment in order?

Jmj

Hello, Madonna.
When you got "married," the priest was right to tell you that such a "marriage" would be presumed to be invalid because the man's first marriage was presumed to be valid. Your "marriage" to him was also very clearly invalid because of "lack of canonical form." That is, you did not have the bishop's permission to marry outside a Catholic Church with a designated Catholic witness (usually a clergyman).

It is unlikely that it will be necessary for you to go through a long process, but rather a short one that is designed to let the truth be revealed and recorded clearly and accurately, for all concerned.

You will need to get together with your pastor to fill out some forms. The man you divorced will be contacted by mail, to see if he wishes to submit any information. I believe that Church law gives him the right to try to show that your marriage to him was actually valid -- but it's pretty obvious that he won't try, because he hasn't a leg to stand on, if what you have stated is 100% accurate.

You should then soon be notified that a Decree of Nullity has been granted by the diocesan marriage tribunal. This will give complete peace of mind to you (and any potential future spouse of yours).

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), April 03, 2001.