Annulment rules

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hello! I was searching the internet for an answer about an annulment question and came across this site. I would like to know what the rules for an annulment are. A friend of mine was married 17 years ago when he was 25. he felt a little unsure about getting married, but the woman insisted - about 4 months after getting married, the woman said she needed some space and time to herself. She said she was staying at a friend’s house, but moved in with an ex-boyfriend who had come to town. Two months later they were divorced. This was a very difficult situation for him, because he believes that marriages are forever. He went through counseling and therapy, he was alble to release that the sin was hers for leaving and going with another, but it was a very difficult process, since his belief in marriage and commitment is strong … (she has since re-married and divorced about 3 more times and has lost touch completely.) My question is - in a case such as this, is an annulment possible - since it seems to me that the marriage was entered into without full maturity and it doesn’t at all seem like a true marriage to me.

I am not sure of the rules of annulment. … could anyone please fill me in?

Thank you!
 
every case is unique, it is not possible here to comment about an individual situation. the person must present the facts to his pastor, ask for a referral to the diocesan marriage tribunal for an investigation. If the facts show that there was some condition that made valid marriage impossible then they would issue a decree of nullity. the investigation is about the facts and conditions pertaining at the time of the marriage, not what happened afterwards. Although what happened after the wedding might be indicative of the state of either party before the marriage, those events do not determine whether or not the marriage was valid. The Catholic Church considers all marriages to be valid until proven otherwise. Sometimes the proof is obvious and easily understood, (i.e, previous marriage, natural law prohibition) other times a great deal of investigation is required. Your friend should seek out his pastor.
 
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starrysky:
hello! I was searching the internet for an answer about an annulment question and came across this site. I would like to know what the rules for an annulment are. A friend of mine was married 17 years ago when he was 25. he felt a little unsure about getting married, but the woman insisted - about 4 months after getting married, the woman said she needed some space and time to herself. She said she was staying at a friend’s house, but moved in with an ex-boyfriend who had come to town. Two months later they were divorced. This was a very difficult situation for him, because he believes that marriages are forever. He went through counseling and therapy, he was alble to release that the sin was hers for leaving and going with another, but it was a very difficult process, since his belief in marriage and commitment is strong … (she has since re-married and divorced about 3 more times and has lost touch completely.) My question is - in a case such as this, is an annulment possible - since it seems to me that the marriage was entered into without full maturity and it doesn’t at all seem like a true marriage to me.

I am not sure of the rules of annulment. … could anyone please fill me in?

Thank you!
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Canon Law lays out the requirements for valid/licit marriages. Here is a link to read canons 1055 - 1165: intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P3U.HTM
 
Let us make one thing clear please. There is no such thing as annulment. There is only declaration of nullity. The Church doesn’t annul marriages the way civil acts are annulled. Marriage, in the eyes of the Church, is either valid or invalid from the beginning (regardless of practical problems arising in cases similar to “voidable” marriages in civil law).

But, as you say, it hardly looks like the woman has ever been in the right state of mind to make a lifelong commitment. I suppose the marriage will be ruled null and void if your friend challenges it in the bishop’s court.

Also, if she really hadn’t been able to make such a decision, then there has never been any marriage, in the very first place, so your friend has no obligation to stick to it.
 
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starrysky:
hello! I was searching the internet for an answer about an annulment question and came across this site. I would like to know what the rules for an annulment are. A friend of mine was married 17 years ago when he was 25. he felt a little unsure about getting married, but the woman insisted - about 4 months after getting married, the woman said she needed some space and time to herself. She said she was staying at a friend’s house, but moved in with an ex-boyfriend who had come to town. Two months later they were divorced. This was a very difficult situation for him, because he believes that marriages are forever. He went through counseling and therapy, he was alble to release that the sin was hers for leaving and going with another, but it was a very difficult process, since his belief in marriage and commitment is strong … (she has since re-married and divorced about 3 more times and has lost touch completely.) My question is - in a case such as this, is an annulment possible - since it seems to me that the marriage was entered into without full maturity and it doesn’t at all seem like a true marriage to me.

I am not sure of the rules of annulment. … could anyone please fill me in?

Thank you!
Click to expand...
There is really only one main rule for the Annulment process.

Fill out the paperwork clearly, honestly and completely. Remember that God already knows if the Marriage was validly celebrated.
 
Thank you all so much for your replies! … very helpful. Thank you. 🙂
 
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