ANNULMENT

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I was married for 7years and we both are non-catholic and married in an non-catholic church. We are now divorced and he is now marrying a catholic. I have been notified that he has petitioned for an annulment to get married in the catholic church. I am very confused as to why I am even involved. If I don't respond to the letter what happens? I am not trying to prevent anything, but just not understanding why I am involved. And if I do respond just say I fall in love with a person that is catholic would I have to go through the same process?

-- STACIA RAY (STACIARAY1@HOTMAIL.COM), April 08, 2003

Answers

You are involved because it is your marriage to him that is being investigated by the marriage tribunal. The Church will not allow someone to marry within the Church until they are certain that the person is not already validly married to someone else. Of course, you are not required to contribute anything to the proceedings. If you do so, it may smooth the way to his obtaining the annulment , IF there are valid grounds for a decree of annulment. If there are not valid grounds, he will not receive the annulment whether you participate or not. If you don't participate, the annulment procedings will move forward anyway, but may take somewhat longer to be finalized.

The annulment, if granted, would be equally applicable to both of you, so that you would not have to pursue an annulment later, should you wish to marry a Catholic. It is the marriage that is declared invalid, not one or the other individual, regardless of who starts the procedings. From that point of view, it would be advisable for you to contribute whatever information is requested, and to obtain a copy of the final decree for yourself.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), April 08, 2003.


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