The Annulment Process - Where is God?

God is revealed through our life experiences. Sometimes this is difficult to comprehend. Our sense is that some life experiences, such as death, grief, suffering, divorce, are better left in the past and forgotten. How can such suffering reveal the face of God? This question often leads us to ask the number one question on people's minds today, which is, does God cause this suffering, and if so, why? The Hebrew Scriptures often reveal a God of punishment and revenge - a God who punishes the sinner, and seeks revenge against the evil-doers.

However, Jesus, in the New Testament, reveals to us another face of God. Jesus shows us a God who loves us no matter what, and does not send us suffering, but helps to redeem it and learn from it. God wishes us to learn from our suffering and to find meaning through the pain, and thus, pass on what we have learned to others who need healing and compassion. Only then, can we truly experience healing and forgiveness.

What does this have to do with a church annulment? For many people, the church annulment process is simply seen as "going through the hoops" in order to re-marry in the Catholic church - In other words - " fill out the forms, get it done and over with and go on with life." That certainly is one way of approaching the catholic church annulment process. However, there is another way.

Writing your autobiography - examining your past, your courtship, and your marriage- as painful as it is, can be an experience of healing. During my 21 years experience in a Tribunal I have listened to many people's life stories, and it is through the telling of their stories- sometimes for the first time - that they finally understand where God was in all of their painful past. Only then, are they liberated from their pain, and only then can they face their future with a new-found freedom and grace.

So - I present you with a challenge:
- Can you approach this annulment process with confidence, knowing that God is with you through it all?

- Can you approach this process with a positive attitude, knowing that God will not abandon you on your journey?

- Can you ask yourself, what am I willing to learn about myself ? Am I willing to believe in a God of compassion and forgiveness?

Then, in a spirit of peace, am I willing to face the future with confidence, assured of God's bountiful grace?

May God be with you.

Who can apply for a Catholic annulment?

Any divorced person –Catholic or non-Catholic– can request an annulment from the Catholic Church. It's estimated that at least 25% of Catholic annulments in the U.S. are for non Catholic marriages. In addition those individuals who petition are almost equally divided between men and women.

More often than not, individuals seek an annulment so they can remarry in the Catholic Church. In the same way a person seeks a divorce so they can remarry in the State.

However other times individuals request a Catholic annulment just so the Church will no longer consider them married to their ex-spouse.

Are church annulments only for the rich and famous?

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.

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.

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!

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

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.