No. Everyone is treated fairly in church law. A person is not given preferential treatment for being rich and famous, or, penalized for lacking wealth and fame.
In fact, church law prohibits any court official from taking part in a case in which there is a family relationship, close friendship, animosity, or desire to profit or avoid loss.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Do I have to deal with my ex spouse during the annulment process?
No. You do not have to have anything to do with him or her. All you have to do is let the Church know the present whereabouts of your ex spouse.
The Church requires that your former spouse is to be notified that the annulment process has begun so as to offer him/her the opportunity to make a response. So your ex-spouse will be sent a letter explaining that the process was initiated.
Your ex-spouse does not have to agree to the annulment, i.e. they can contest it. Or, he/she can also choose not to participate in the process - and it will still move forward.
The Church requires that your former spouse is to be notified that the annulment process has begun so as to offer him/her the opportunity to make a response. So your ex-spouse will be sent a letter explaining that the process was initiated.
Your ex-spouse does not have to agree to the annulment, i.e. they can contest it. Or, he/she can also choose not to participate in the process - and it will still move forward.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Do church annulments affect a child's legitimacy in church law?
No. When the Church declares a marriage of parents null many people are often confused about its legal impact upon the legitimacy of the children in church law.
The legal term "legitimacy" means that the child's father is known. He is the "husband" of the child's mother at the time of the child's birth. Before there was such a thing as DNA testing, this was the only way society could legally assume who was the father of the child.
An annulment does not "retroactively" affect the child's paternity. At the time of the child’s birth, the parents were known. It was at that moment that the legitimacy of the child was established.
Any statement or belief to the contrary–that an annulment renders a child illegitimate–is simply wrong!
The legal term "legitimacy" means that the child's father is known. He is the "husband" of the child's mother at the time of the child's birth. Before there was such a thing as DNA testing, this was the only way society could legally assume who was the father of the child.
An annulment does not "retroactively" affect the child's paternity. At the time of the child’s birth, the parents were known. It was at that moment that the legitimacy of the child was established.
Any statement or belief to the contrary–that an annulment renders a child illegitimate–is simply wrong!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Catholic Annulment Resources on the Web
I hope you find these web resources valuable:
If you are thinking about starting, or, you are ready to start the annulment process:
Catholic Annulment Preparation Services
If you have finished your annulment process and would like to give feedback on your experience:
My Annulment Process Experience
If you are thinking about starting, or, you are ready to start the annulment process:
Catholic Annulment Preparation Services
If you have finished your annulment process and would like to give feedback on your experience:
My Annulment Process Experience
I'm a divorced Catholic, can I receive Holy Communion?
Yes. Divorce has no impact upon your legal status in church law. Even though you and your ex-spouse are obviously living apart from one another after the civil divorce, you’re still considered married in church law. Living apart does not prevent you from receiving Holy Communion, so as a divorced Catholic you can go to Communion.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Do I need a Catholic annulment?
If you are divorced and want to remarry in the Catholic Church, you will need to receive a church annulment. This need is similar to receiving a divorce from the State before you remarry.
To many, the catholic annulment process is mysterious and daunting. You may have questions, fears and misconceptions. My goal in writing this blog is to provide you with a forum for questions and answers on annulments.
I have served as a church judge for over 20 years and I have work with literally thousands of divorced individuals hoping to receive a church annulment.
Admittedly, after going through a divorce, most people don't even want to think about going through an annulment. The divorce was painful enough!
But you may be in a position where an annulment has now become a necessity, especially if you want to remarry in the Catholic Church. Are you in any of these situations:
• You’re a divorced Catholic who has fallen in love and wants to remarry in the Church.
• You’re a divorced non-Catholic who has fallen in love, and your Catholic fiancé wants to marry in the Church.
• You're divorced and already remarried [Catholic or non-Catholic] and you want to bring your civil marriage into the Church.
• You’re a divorced non-Catholic who wants to become Catholic and also remarry.
Or, you may want an annulment out of a desire to change your present "married status" in church law back to a "single status."
• You're a divorced Catholic who wants the option to remarry in the Church in the future.
• You’re a divorced Catholic who wants an annulment for “peace of conscience.”
Whatever your reason for seeking an annulment, it's important for you to know that you have the right in church law to petition the Church for one. Whether you are Catholic or non-Catholic, you have this legal right.
To many, the catholic annulment process is mysterious and daunting. You may have questions, fears and misconceptions. My goal in writing this blog is to provide you with a forum for questions and answers on annulments.
I have served as a church judge for over 20 years and I have work with literally thousands of divorced individuals hoping to receive a church annulment.
Admittedly, after going through a divorce, most people don't even want to think about going through an annulment. The divorce was painful enough!
But you may be in a position where an annulment has now become a necessity, especially if you want to remarry in the Catholic Church. Are you in any of these situations:
• You’re a divorced Catholic who has fallen in love and wants to remarry in the Church.
• You’re a divorced non-Catholic who has fallen in love, and your Catholic fiancé wants to marry in the Church.
• You're divorced and already remarried [Catholic or non-Catholic] and you want to bring your civil marriage into the Church.
• You’re a divorced non-Catholic who wants to become Catholic and also remarry.
Or, you may want an annulment out of a desire to change your present "married status" in church law back to a "single status."
• You're a divorced Catholic who wants the option to remarry in the Church in the future.
• You’re a divorced Catholic who wants an annulment for “peace of conscience.”
Whatever your reason for seeking an annulment, it's important for you to know that you have the right in church law to petition the Church for one. Whether you are Catholic or non-Catholic, you have this legal right.
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