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shadrach
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jan 8th, 2007 |
| Location: | Brooklyn, New York USA |
| Posts: | 3 |
| First Name: | Gary | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Too many |
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Posted: Mon Jan 8th, 2007 04:30 pm |
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The marriage was a civil ceremony, and there was a civil divorce. IS there a need for an annulment since neither of us was a practicing Catholic at the time?
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Jan 8th, 2007 05:01 pm |
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Yes. Any marriage must be declared null by the Church before another marriage can be contracted. The Church follows Jesus' teaching literally, "What God has joined, man must not divide." If the marriage is judged to be sacramental, no power on heaven or earth except God can disolve the marriage bond (God disolves the bond through the death of one of the partners).
As Catholics, we are obliged to follow the marriage laws of the Church, which requires the presence of a priest, deacon, or other "official witness" to the marriage. Non-Catholics are not obliged to follow that law, so any marriage is presumed sacramental until proven otherwise.
Of course, you are free to participate fully in the Church except for receiving the sacraments. You may still attend mass, fulfill certain ministries, have your children baptized, etc. But if you have remarried, your first marriage will have to be declared null before your current marriage can be recognized by the Church.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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shadrach
Member
| Joined: | Mon Jan 8th, 2007 |
| Location: | Brooklyn, New York USA |
| Posts: | 3 |
| First Name: | Gary | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Too many |
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Posted: Mon Jan 8th, 2007 05:44 pm |
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How do you find out if it was considered Sacramental? She was never a Christian, much less a Catholic; and I hadn't been into a Catholic church in about 8 years.
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5353 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Jan 8th, 2007 06:11 pm |
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shadrach wrote: How do you find out if it was considered Sacramental? She was never a Christian, much less a Catholic; and I hadn't been into a Catholic church in about 8 years.
The Church makes that determination. You say you had not been in a Catholic church in about 8 years. If you were ever Catholic and had not formally renounced the faith prior to your marriage, the process of declaring it null is very simple and can be completed in a few days.
If you were both Catholic and married in the Church, or if neither of you was ever Catholic, the process is much more complex.
"Annulment" is an incorrect term. The Church issues a "Declaration of Nullity" recognizing that a sacramental marriage never took place. In other words, the marriage was null (non-existant from a sacramental standpoint) from the very beginning. Once a sacrament occurs, the Church cannot nullify it.
I realize this is rather confusing and somewhat complex. That's why it's essential that you meet wiith a priest or trained lay advocate as soon as possible so they can assess the correct course of action in your situation.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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