Annulment

[Dara]

Even though I am not dating many of my priestly friends and acquaintances have told me I need to get an annulment just to be. So far they all have thought it likely to happen, but I have to turn in my paperwork, which I have been dragging my feet on. The reason for that is there is a lot of negative stuff in there. My difficulty is that my marriage isolated me so I have a limited pool of witnesses anyway, and then it is compounded by having to provide details. So the question is how does the process work. Will my witnesses all be provided copies of my questionnaire - in which case I can’t do the annulment because it will cause pain to another for my benefit - although it is an unlikely benefit since I’m not dating. Or will they simply be asked to relate what they know about my past, my marriage, and my character - in which case it is ok!

Why does it have to feel like such a sin sometimes to tell the truth! We aren’t supposed to gossip and that is what this feels like.

 

[anonymous_in_fl]

My understanding, having gone through the process myself, is they will not disclose or send out copies of your paperwork to your witnesses.

My witnesses were asked to fill out questionnaires themselves about my marriage; the questions were somewhat similar to the ones I had to answer myself.

If the tribunal had the need for more clarification then they may always telephone your witnesses for more information.

My witnesses who gave supporting information were my mom and my sister.

The info you submit does not get shared with anyone, except possibly your ex-spouse who does have the right to review it if they so choose.

 

[DittosMommy]

I am in the process of seeking a declaration of nullity. My marriage occurred more than 30 years ago and I had to struggle to find a third witness, but praise God, I was able to locate my maid of honor and she agreed to be a witness.

Yes, completing the paperwork was painful and there were a lot of embarrassing things in there, but I answered all questions honestly. I, too, did not want to sound like I was gossiping, but once I was done, I felt a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

My witnesses have completed their questionnaires and they were not provided the answers to my questionnaire. The only people who will see your answers are the tribunal members (your advocate, the advocate of your former spouse, the Defender of the Bond and the judges, all of whom are bound by the rule of confidentiality) and your former spouse has the right to review the documents in order to rebut any items. The same holds true for you. You have the right to see his testimony and the testimony of any of his witnesses and to offer rebuttal. No one may make copies of the documents and they may not leave the tribunal office.

If you think that you have grounds under canon law to have your former marriage declared null, I encourage you to submit your paperwork to get the process started. The process is lengthy (it can take a year or more). If your are called to a vocation of marriage, then you will need to have the declaration of nullity. Better to start now so there will be no hold up later.

May God bless you.