Catholic Marriage Divorce Annulment
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Catholic Marriage, Civil Divorce, and Annulments 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 Marriages – 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… Annulment Declaration of Nullity – 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. 1 Corinthians 7: 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 Catholic Church, now divorced Formal Case Requires a Spiritual/Theological Study Case is looked at with Moral Servitude Annulments are handled in our diocese There is no fee Tribunal Catholics abide by laws for Catholics The Tribunal - Canon Lawyers who review petitions for annulment Canon Law 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? .