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Annulments, healing and the catholic church

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The annulment process in the Catholic church is often misunderstood. While there is no such thing as a Catholic divorce, the reality is that catholics do get divorced. When divorce happens, it is hard on all involved parties. The first step is to seek answers about what an annulment actually is and how to obtain it. 

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An annulment is a decree from the church, determined by a thorough investigation by the church's tribunal, that the Sacrament of marriage, at the moment the couple exchanged vows, did not take place.  While the couple was civilly and legally married, they were not, in fact, sacramentally married.

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The process starts with contacting the parish priest. Once a person (called a petitioner) applies for an annulment, the petitioner will be contacted by the diocese with instructions on how to proceed.  The petitioner will be assigned an advocate who will guide the petitioner through the process. 

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If it is recommended to apply for an annulment, click here to complete the annulment application. 

Healing and Annulments

The steps it takes to complete the annulment process are designed to lead the person to a place of healing and understanding.

 

Obviously, something went wrong during the marriage - and it's not about blaming someone or finding who's at fault. The investigation doesn't assign blame. No, instead, the process must determine if there was an inability for either the husband or wife to fully enter into receiving the Sacrament on the wedding day. While the overall decree will determine that a Sacrament did not take place, there is a great opportunity for healing and growth along the way.

 

The petitioner will offer his or her personal account of the relationship, specifically prior to and leading up to the wedding day. There will also be witnesses - those who were close to the husband or wife to give a candid account of the dynamics and activities in the relationship.

 

Along the way, as the person is reflecting on the relationship as a whole, he or she can dive deep and embrace the healing and forgiveness that is needed in order to move forward.

Frequently Asked questions

Q. Do I have to be divorced to apply for an annulment?

 

A. Yes. The divorce must be final before you can apply for an annulment. If you are not divorced, there is nothing to annul.

 

Q. Will my children be illegitimate if I get an annulment?

 

A. No. You were married civilly and divorced civilly. The annulment doesn't unmarry you or take away the civil marriage (and divorce). The annulment will simply state whether your marriage was Sacramental.

 

Q. How long does an annulment take?

 

A. It depends. It usually takes about a year - it could be a little longer or a little less.

 

Q. How much does an annulment cost?

 

A. Annulments are free of charge.

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