I was married at 18 in Australia, by a Civil celebrant. Together we hada child of 3 mths and being so young I thought marriage was the right thing to do at the time and had no real support from my family in making this decision. 3 months later we went to the Anglican church to have our marriage blessed. After 10 yrs we seperated, she went to live with a man with whom she had been having a sexual affair for many months, to whom she is now married. 5 yrs ago I converted to catholisism and now wish to receive an anullment from the church. I have no intention of re marrying, but would like this anullment none the less. Do I have grounds for an anullment???

-- Eric Moulton (demonte21@hotmail.com), August 17, 2001

Answers

Response to What are the gounds for an annullment in a non catholic marriage when now I have converted?

Jmj

Hello, Eric.

Occasionally, when someone comes here to ask a question similar to yours, he/she has some particular detail in the narrative that makes it very clear that the Church would grant a Decree of Nullity. For example, if a Catholic temporarily rebels and decides to attempt marriage before a civil official, that is clear "lack of form." Of, for example, if a non-Catholic attempts marriage with a divorced Catholic (who has not obtained a Decree of Nullity), that is clearly invalid.

I mention the above as a way to lead into saying that there is nothing in what you have told us about your own experience that reveals a simple, clear-cut case for Nullity. I don't mean to discourage you. I only mean to say that we simple laymen here would not be able to judge your case. I would encourage you to have a frank discussion with your pastor about this, asking him to help you fill out the papers that will be sent to your diocese's marriage court ("tribunal"). They will carefully weigh the facts that you present and the testimony of other witnesses (including your "wife," if she can be contacted and is willing to participate). They will consider everything in light of the Code of Canon Law and come to a decision.

Please follow up, if you think that we can help you further. For example, we could tell you where you can read what Canon Law has to say about marriage and its validity/nullity. However, it is not easy to understand, and you could come away accidentally feeling either overly encouraged or overly discouraged. It's up to you, though.

St. James, pray for us.
God bless you.
John

-- (jgecik@amdg.ihs), August 17, 2001.