Should I let the Catholic Church annul my first marriage..?? I have been divorced over 12 years???

Question

for those of you who do not understand when a catholic gets married and than divorces, according to the catholics I am still married, by law, yes I am legally divorced, for me to be in good standing or ever remarry in the catholic faith I must have my first marriage annuled... than the catholics will see my first marriage as a divorce...

Answer 1

It will be tough(virtually impossible) to get an annulment if you have children from your marriage. Sorry.

Answer 2

The Catholic Church does not give divorces, it annulls marriages. New rules in Canon Law make the annulment process easier. You will need an annulment if you wish to be married again in the Catholic faith. The annulment has no bearing on children from the marriage being "illegitimate".

Answer 3

I think you misunderstand what a declaration of nullity is. It IS NOT a "Catholic divorce." IT IS a declaration, after thorough scrutiny, that there was something lacking from the beginning that kept the marriage from having the necessary grace to be a lifelong bond.

People complain about the cost- no one is kept from the annulment process for inability to pay. The Diocese will work with you. The requested payment is a FRACTION of the actual costs involved.

If you have children, it does NOT make them illegitimate in the eyes of the Church.

The annulment process WILL help you understand what went wrong - what made it less than sacramental and enduring- and will help you avoid those mistakes in the future.

Remember, Jesus said anyone who marries after a divorce is guilty of adultery UNLESS the marriage was unlawful- that is, not valid. Every marriage entered into according to the laws of the church is presumed valid unless declared invalid by the Tribunal.

Until you receive a declaration of nulity, you are still married in the eyes of God ( not just the Church) and are not free to even casually date, as that would be infidelity to your spouse.

Answer 4

I'm not Catholic, but it's my understanding that in order to be married in the Catholic church and you're divorced, you have to get the first marriage annulled. If you're getting married in the church, you'll have to. However, if you're not remarrying in the church, why do it? This never made sense to me because you got married before God - doesn't matter whether it was in the Catholic church or not. Also, if you have children and the marriage is annulled, isn't that saying that your children were born out of wedlock, even though you were legally married? Personally, and I don't want to ruffle any feathers because I have family who is Catholic, but I think it's just a way for the church to make money. Back in the early 80s a co-worker of mine said it cost her husband-to-be over $2,000 to get his first marriage annulled so they could be married in the church. Sorry, I wouldn't do it and especially if i had children.

Answer 5

Well, you don't exactly "let" them, I think you have to apply for it and go through a tribunal. Are you willing to or wanting to re-enter being a traditional Catholic? Are you wanting to remarry in the Catholic church? Part of it depends upon your motives. Also, what are your reasons for having the annulment granted - were you not of sound mind when you got married? Maybe you had better go see a priest and get some information.

Answer 6

If you want to remarry in the Catholic church again you should. My opinion is if you have children from that marriage it shouldn't be annuled which means it never took place??? It is a real controversial issue with me. I feel if I got out of the marriage because of a legitimate reason I have already been forgiven by God and should have the right to remarry in the Catholic church if I please. I don't feel priest have the right to forgive or annul. God forgives all who seek His forgiveness in ernest. Good Luck

Answer 7

If you ever want to marry in the Catholic Church again you will HAVE to have your marriage annuled.

Answer 8

You must have good reason to feel this way and should discuss it with a priest to guide you to the next step. My cousin was married longer than 12 years. It was her husband that initiated the annullment. they had three children together. Yes, they did get an annulment granted. bettyk

Answer 9

If you are Catholic it is perfect solution for you. According to church law you will be treated like never married again and could remarry in church.

Answer 10

how can it be annulled when your already divorced ? declare the nullity of a marriage, i.e., that the marriage never existed.132 In this case the contracting parties are free to marry