Is domestic violence grounds for an annulment? My husbnad was physically abusive to me for years and he has terminated his parental rights to our son...do I have a chance?
2007-07-23 08:33:07 · 13 answers · asked by TT 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is my understanding that physical violence is sufficient grounds for annulment. If he has been abusive to you all along, then he never took his vows seriously to begin with. Moreover, he has rejected a child, the acceptance and raising of which are another part of the marriage vows. That's two strikes against him, which I would hope makes it functionally as though the marriage did not occur. However, this is only my opinion. I encourage you to take the matter to a priest. He will be better able to advise you than anyone on this forum. Good luck to you, and I hope you and your son are finally able to be freed from your ex - he sounds like a real monster.
2007-07-23 08:49:53 · answer #1 · answered by nardhelain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are talking about the Catholic Church, it probably is but you might reconsider the annulment and just stick with the divorce. An annulment means the marriage never existed and would mean your son is not legitimate in the eyes of the Church. My mother had the right to an annulment but didn't do it because of us kids and the way the Church would then regard us.
God Bless.
2007-07-23 15:42:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the Catholic Chruch, annulment is only granted if they believe that the marriage was never valid to begin with. (such as discovering that your spouse was a bigamist and married to someone else at the time, or lied about thier age, and was not legally permitted to marry etc)
If your husband is physcially abusive, get away from him ! If the church won't grant you an annulment, they can't force you to physically stay with him. You need to put the safety of your children and yourself FIRST, it needs to come above what any religious institution has to say.
2007-07-23 15:40:12 · answer #3 · answered by queenthesbian 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It’s obvious to everyone, including the Church, that some marriages “don’t work out.” In serious circumstances the Church even encourages separation of “bed and board.” But this is very different from accepting divorce.
Should you base your annulment on abuse alone, I don't see you having a chance. However, usually abusers usually demonstrate other marriage breakers so I would examine what makes a marriage "Valid" in the RC Church.
2007-07-23 15:40:16 · answer #4 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you can get an annulment, but I don't believe that kind of divorce is considered a sin.
Perhaps you could claim you were threatened into marrying him, so then the marriage would have been under false pretenses.
2007-07-23 15:38:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry about your situation, really I am. But I would just get a divorce. Why get an annulment?
2007-07-23 15:36:57 · answer #6 · answered by spike_is_my_evil_vampire 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Isn't there a time limitation on annulments? You should consult a good attorney, not ask here, especially in the wrong section.
2007-07-23 15:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by Machaira 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes two reasons
Being physically abused
and
Cheated on...
those are the only two. (but divorce)
not annulment...
2007-07-23 15:38:21 · answer #8 · answered by sassinya 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes it is! my mothers first husband was physicaly abusive and the chruch granted her an annulment. mind you this was the 70's and it did take over a year to get the papail dagree. but yes you can get one!
2007-07-23 15:36:45 · answer #9 · answered by slo18 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Having a marriage anulled is saying it never happened because of false pretenses. What insane religion do you belong to that would not approve of a divorce in your situation?
(If you're Catholic, an annulment renders your child a bastard. They aren't going to do that!)
2007-07-23 15:35:58 · answer #10 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋