Hello, wonderin if anyone knows - do you have to get divorced before you get an annulment and if so, this doesnt make sense because you have to sin by divorcing first, to obtain the annulment ?? Is this the same in all countries ?? And are there any exceptions to this ?

Thanks and God bless -

-- Peace Seeker (pen00179@yahoo.com), April 06, 2004

Answers

A Catholic is permitted to divorce..they are NOT permitted to re- marry, for that would be entering into an adulterous relationship, since marriage is a sacrament..a lifelong covenant entered into by two persons sanctified by God. In the annulment process, the Church examines whether or not a true marriage, or covenant ever existed in the first place. It is my understanding (and I'm sure someone will correct me if this is wrong) that the reason the Church requires proof of civil divorce prior to opening an annulment process is that in the event the Tribunal approves an annulment, the Catholic who has applied for it is totally free to marry..both in the Church as well as from a civil/legal perspective. I have no knowledge of how things are done elsewhere.

-- lesley (martchas@hotmail.com), April 06, 2004.

To clarify ... "A Catholic is permitted to divorce" could be misleading. A more precise statement would be ... A Catholic is permitted to go through the motions of a divorce when necessary to satisfy the requirements of the state" (give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God that which is God's). However, such a divorce is not recognized by the Church. From the Church's perspective, the divorce doesn't actually have any effect on the marriage whatsoever - which is why it is allowed in some circumstances - and which is why the parties who obtain such a divorce are no freer to marry than they were before the divorce.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), April 06, 2004.