WHAT NEVER WAS—ANNULMENTS

JOURNAL QUESTION: What, in your opinion, would be grounds for a marriage to be over? Be specific…

ANNULMENTS: The official term is a Decree of Nullity This decree is granted if it can be shown that ON THE DAY VOWS WERE EXCHANGED at least some essential element for a valid marriage was lacking This includes: A person was not free to validly marry A person was incapable to validly marry

Why Get an Annulment? On an emotional level, it can bring closure to a bitter divorce On a practical level, after getting an annulment you can get married (again) in the Catholic Church On a relational level, you can allow your ex-spouse to move on

ANNULMENT TRUE & FALSE… If you get divorced, you are automatically excommunicated (ex-Communion-ed). FALSE. You are only excommunicated if you get divorced and remarried w/o an annulment. Annulments take several years to complete. FALSE. The national average is 12-14 months. In the United States, over 50,000 annulments are granted every year. TRUE. So it’s not that uncommon.

ANNULMENT TRUE & FALSE… By getting an annulment, you’re declaring your children are illegitimate. FALSE. The declaration of nullity has no legal impact & so children are still legitimate. If you get married outside of the Church, it is easier to get an annulment. TRUE. It’s called Lack of Form. It is always very expensive to get an annulment. FALSE. In some dioceses, it’s free!