Annulment

[Esquilo]

Hello Everyone! I really need some help! My boyfriend is Roman Catholic and he was married to a Greek Orthodox woman (the weading was in a Greek church). Their divorce was finalized about 7 years ago. Because I know the annulment is a very long process, I need to know if he needs one or not, so we can get engage and start planning our wedding. Can anyone please help me?
Thanks,
Esquilo

 

[Joe_Kelley]

If one ever stood up, or sat, anywhere before anyone with any authority and said “I do” or something close to that the resulting putative marriage must be reviewed, and declared null, by the Tribunal before a marriage in the Catholic Church can be planned. This sounds a little harsh, but I have had to clean up too many messes where someone acted on an uninformed opinion.

A marriage outside the Catholic Church which involves one baptized in the Catholic Church would usually be null due to defect of form and easily resolved. However, since this involves marriage in a sister [Orthodox] Church, I am not sure of the rules on form. It definitely requires review by competent authority.

You have a significant legal [Church Law] problem here and no number of lay opinions is going to help. Consult with a priest familiar with the Tribunal in your diocese, preferably one with a degree in Canon Law. If your parish cannot refer you to one, call the diocese and ask for the Tribunal - that is the Diocesan Court.

With my prayers.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

A Catholic who has been married and divorced must submit his/her prior marriage to a marriage tribunal for annulment before being married again.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Without saying much more. Yes he needs to begin the process by speaking with his pastor. It may not take as long as you think however.

 

[stbruno]

For a jump start for laity and even those who are doing marriage prep,like my spouse and I, I strongly recommend a book that was put out in 2003 by St.Anthony Messenger Press, 28 W. Liberty St. Cincinnati, OH (513)241-5615 by Victoria Vonderberger R.S.M.,J.C.L. called
CATHOLICS, MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE. REAL PEOPLE, REAL QUESTIONS.
The book carries an imprimator from auxiliary bishop of Cincinnati for those those of you who question it’s validity. It is wonderfully compiled from real questions submitted by a variety of people just like us.

It answers questions about things to consider prior to marriage, divorce and the Catholic church, Tribunal processes and more. It is very reasonable, under $11 too. Of course, it should never replace talking to your parish priest. He is the best resource or the Family Life ministry in your diocese. God bless you!

 

[Faustina]

Yes, the annulment process can be long, but it is much better than it used to be. 10 years was the common length of time, however now it is usually around 8-10 months. Mine took about 8 months, but that is because I stayed on top of it, and my priest used to work for the Marriage Tribunal when he first entered the priesthood.

 

[MeaCulpa]

Unfortunately, Catholics who divorce do not comply with the requirement that that act as if they were married and so they date, kiss and fall in love, things someone married should not do. A married person cannot become engaged to someone else.

If a person divorces in the Church and feels he or she have grounds for a decree of nullity, this should be done BEFORE dating and not after because it does take some time to get this done and then it still may not be granted. By dating prior to the decree, there is much risk for occasions of sin and much disappointment can occur.