My wife and I were both born and baptized Catholic. We were away from the Church for some time and were both previously married and divorced. We were married to each other by a Lutheran pastor. We returned to the Church.

My wife had her prior marriage annulled. At that time I did not pursue annulment.

We met with our priest, provided him with a complete annulment application but explained to him unique circumstances that would result in psychological harm to my children from the prior marriage if I pursued the annulment at that time (long story, disturbed ex-wife).

Our priest reviewed the annulment application and grounds at length as well as evidence of the circumstances involving the children and told us that under the circumstances he would grant something called a "private forum" allowing us to partake in the sacraments of the Church on the condition that I obtain an annulment at the earliest possible date consistent with not harming the children.

When the situation cleared, I obtained and annulment. I have subsequently been confirmed (a sacrament I missed due to transfers among different relatives during my childhood)

The questions now are: Are we living in sin because we were not married in the Church or does the "Private Forum" granted prior to my annulment allow us to continue to partake in the sacraments of the Church? If we should do something else, what is it?

-- Robert Raphael Beauchamp (rrb@beauchampfirm.com), May 27, 2003

Answers

Response to Annullments granted after Lutheran wedding - what now?

You need to convalidate your current marriage. This is sometimes called having it blessed by the priest.

-- Mark (aujus_1066@yahoo.com), May 27, 2003.

Response to Annullments granted after Lutheran wedding - what now?

But may we particpate in the sacraments under the blessing of our prior priest in a "private forum" granted before the annulment or did the subsequent grant of my annulment make things worse, i.e., after the grant of my annulment are my wife and I living in sin until the day of the blessing? We have every intention of having our marriage blessed but it would seem illogical to be barred from the sacraments after the annulment when we were not barred before the annulment was granted.

-- Robert Raphael Beauchamp (rrb@beauchampfirm.com), May 27, 2003.

Response to Annullments granted after Lutheran wedding - what now?

I would recommend asking that question to the priest who granted you the "internal forum". If he is no longer available, I would consult your current priest.

The majority opinion around here is that the "internal forum" does not exist (or is just another name for reconciliation). That viewpoint makes it hard to answer questions about it such as "when does/did it expire".

But if it did expire, I would have thought the trigger would have been when you were finally able to submit your annulment petition, not when it was granted.

-- Mark (aujus_1066@yahoo.com), May 27, 2003.

Response to Annullments granted after Lutheran wedding - what now?

Shop around Robert, you can find any opinion you want in this forum among the "good catholics" just as you can find any opinion you want among the clergy. It does not seem to make a difference what the truth is anymore. If you "love" Jesus, call yourself a Catholic, "sincerely" want to to follow the Church's teachings and are willing to make it sound as if you really mean it anything is O.K. because Jesus is all merciful, all forgiving no matter who is led astray by your sins.

What a Church, no wonder nobody goes to hell. No matter how hard you try you just can't escape that "love" of Jesus. I guess the Potestants are really right we Catholics are just sooooo saved we can't break free from "Jeeesus!

Can I have an amen, brothers and sisters? I have seeeeen the light!

Praise the Lord! Alleluia! Glory to God!

Karl

-- Karl (Parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), May 27, 2003.

Response to Annullments granted after Lutheran wedding - what now?

Please ignore Karl's cynicism, above. The Church's teachings do not vary; however, the *application* of those teachings may vary based on your individual circumstances.

Your best bet is to talk to a priest, who is in a better position to know what your next step should be.

God bless you and good luck!

-- Theist Gal :-) (christine_lehman@hotmail.com), May 27, 2003.

Response to Annullments granted after Lutheran wedding - what now?

Thanks to all for your input. I cannot discern any sense of humor here but the reality is that I am so busy at work that a celibate marriage is a viable and practical option until we have our marriage blessed (and, perhaps, thereafter unless things slow down a bit). At least the uncertainty of waiting for the outcome of the annulment is resolved.

Thanks again to all who responded.

Bob

-- Robert Raphael Beauchamp (rrb@beauchampfirm.com), May 27, 2003.