Catholic , Civil , and

SAINT MARY OUR LADY OF GRACE – September 13, 2016 Presented by Deacon Mike Menchen and Claudia McIvor Catholic Marriage Union of opposite sexes Lifelong union, ends at death Excludes a union with anyone else as long as the marriage exists Covenant (not contract) Sacrament of the Church

All – Even Non-Catholic

Presumed to be valid Presumed indissoluble Divorce

Civil, not Catholic Emotional Financial Legal Process Does not invalidate a sacramental marriage Church attitude towards divorced Catholics Compassionate Understanding Non-judgmental Welcoming Supportive Yes, they may receive Communion… – saying that something was missing in the marriage that prevented it from being sacramental No chance of reconciliation – civil divorce, then wait a year Petition for annulment by either spouse Types of Annulments The marriage Lack of Form was not done according to the Catholic Rite of Marriage. The couple was not married by a priest or deacon or in the canonical form. Pauline Privilege  When a But if the unbelieving person is not baptized partner desires to separate, prior to the let it be so; in such a case marriage, this may be the brother or sister is not grounds for bound… annulment. : 12-15 Prior Bond  Catholics are not free to remarry if the previous marriage has not been annulled. It is not a sin to divorce. If divorced and remarried, the Catholic spouse may not receive communion Formal Case Two Catholics, married in the Church, now divorced

One Catholic, one other Christian, married in the , now divorced Formal Case Requires a Spiritual/Theological Study Case is looked at with Moral Servitude Annulments are handled in our There is no fee Tribunal Catholics abide by laws for Catholics The Tribunal - Lawyers who review petitions for annulment  is not Civil Law/Contract Canon Law evaluates through love and life

Canon Law tries to see if Tribunal the elements of the sacrament of marriage were fulfilled All sacraments have specific formulas The image of the Bond of Marriage is Unity The Tribunal determines what broke the Bond of Unity, what were the problems Grounds for Annulment

Capacity and Intent of the couple at the time of the marriage Faithfulness Openness to children Partnership for the whole of life Freedom to enter into the sacrament

Decision of the Tribunal

Decisions are sought for the goodness of the Salvation of Souls

It’s not about the Law; it’s meant to assure a path to God

Questions? Frequently asked questions…

 When can I start the annulment process?  How do I start?  If I am divorced, am I excommunicated?  Will my ex-spouse be involved?  Will my ex-spouse see what I write?  How long does it take?  If my ex-spouse objects to the annulment, does that mean it wonb’t be granted?  How long should my written responses be?