How do I go about getting my marriage annulled in our Catholic Church?
My now ex husband of 7+ years became an alcoholic – womanizing, addict. I filed for divorce, it was granted and now I would like to have it erased in the eye’s of God, due to his behaviors, that previously would have been considered strangely out of normal behavior, but most recently have become the norm. Sitting in bars from open to close, hooking up with various women. Calling me one day professing his love and the next day blaming me for all the wrongs in the world.
He got nothing in the divorce, except the living room furniture – because he didn’t bother to leave his bar stool to come to court.
How do I get this annulled in the catholic church? I don’t even want to go tell our Father that married us, what he turned into. I am embarrased to death over his behaviors.
Tagged with: addict • annulled • bar stool • catholic church • divorce • god • living room furniture • love • norm
Filed under: Your Community Center
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I dont know how you offically cancel it out of the church but what to respond. God knows and sees all. HE is outside the room and has a fresh outlook, where we are inside the room and engulfed with emotions. God knows and I think that is what matters most of all. Dont feel guilty for something that you had no control over. God also gave us free will. God Bless you!
The divorce is unimportant until you wish to re-marrry in the Church. In our parish, it is a rogue Monsignor that sells Indulgences. $20,000 seems to be the price, along with 6 months of counseling. You are limited to a Roman Catholic male for a mate.
You must file the paperwork in the diocese you were married in. The paperwork will ask you for witnesses who will inturn be given similar paperwork to be filled out, asking them what they know and what they saw, etc. I believe they are for 5 witnesses. I was living in a different city 100 miles away from where I was married, but in the same diocese, so I met with a priest who had never met me before. It was still embarassing but he was so kind and helpful.
Once the paperwork is completed and submitted (no time limit) your paperwork and the witnesses’ paperwork is submitted to the Tribunal, which will make the decision whether it merits the next level of discovery. If it is accepted, it goes before another board who then either grant or deny the annulment. You will receive notices of each step of this journey and a contact person to answer your questions. I also attended a information seminar at the Church. They will help you understand exactly what an annulment IS, how to explain it to your children, etc.
You cannot be denied based on lack of ability to pay. Your ex will be given an opportunity to respond as well (in writing). My ex was not Catholic, but wanted to block my efforts to seek an annulment, because he was vindictive. The Tribunal saw right thru him and his angry letter. At the completion of the review, you will given a letter stating the findings. Mine took about 18 months, from start to finish (the marriage was 20 years). I found great peace in my decision to follow thru with this – I hope you can, too.
Good luck
Here is what you do…………Go to the rectory and ring the bell. When someone answers ask to see a priest unless a priest answers and tell him you have a problem. Explain the situation and He will tell you what to do and also what kind of "Donation" they are seeking. Make sure you write down all the questions you have and take notes of his answers. Do not do this over the phone,etc, go for the face to face meeting, God Bless!
Approach the appropriate person your in your parish who has been trained in the process, or you may go directly to your diocese tribunal.
Be prayerful, honest and patient. It takes a while.
The Catholic Church believes that God does not recognize civil divorces.
Jesus said, "Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." (Mark 10:9)
However there may be hope of a declaration of nullity.
The term "annulment" is a misnomer because the Church does not undo or erase a marriage bond.
Rather the Church issues a declaration of nullity when it discovers that the parties were not truly joined by God and hence a full spiritual sacramental marriage as understood by the Church was not present.
Then the parties are free to marry for the first time.
With love in Christ.