Annulment

[srfnolen]

How would you explain annulment and the Church’s stance on divorce when someone believes it’s just the Church’s “rules” and one shouldn’t have to do all those things just to be a part of a church?

Thanks,
srfnolen

 

[SMHW]

How would you explain annulment and the Church’s stance on divorce when someone believes it’s just the Church’s “rules” and one shouldn’t have to do all those things just to be a part of a church?

Thanks,
srfnolen

Do you have a target audience in mind? I think the explanations would differ depending on whether you are speaking to someone who is already in the Catholic Church, to someone who is Christian but not Catholic, or to someone who is not even a Christian.

In each case I think you have to address the authority role the Church hierarchy plays in the life of Christians. Someone who believes that “the Church” is just a name given to a group of people who have similar beliefs is not going to respect the authority of the Church to have a say about the validity or permanence (let along sacramentality) of marriage.

 

[e_c]

Try an appeal to Scripture - show that Jesus clearly allows for “laws” dealing with marriage, as there is that exception “unless it is unlawful,” as well as the “Matthean exception” that says “except for unchastity.”

And Paul explaining his reasons for allowing remarriage for the newly baptized.

That’s a start.

 

[Reuben_J]

Do you have a target audience in mind? I think the explanations would differ depending on whether you are speaking to someone who is already in the Catholic Church, to someone who is Christian but not Catholic, or to someone who is not even a Christian.

In each case I think you have to address the authority role the Church hierarchy plays in the life of Christians. Someone who believes that “the Church” is just a name given to a group of people who have similar beliefs is not going to respect the authority of the Church to have a say about the validity or permanence (let along sacramentality) of marriage.

 

[otjm]

Try an appeal to Scripture - show that Jesus clearly allows for “laws” dealing with marriage, as there is that exception “unless it is unlawful,” as well as the “Matthean exception” that says “except for unchastity.”

And Paul explaining his reasons for allowing remarriage for the newly baptized.

That’s a start.

To which I would add, what the Church teaches about marriage - what it is, what constitutes a valid marriage.

Marriage is not a contract; it is a covenant; and many if not a sizable majority of people cannot explain the difference. The two parties need to make a vow - not a promise.

To that, I would add what the grounds are for a declaration of nullity.

And be prepared for people who cannot wrap their mind around what actually is required on the wedding day - which is more than both parties saying the words “I do” and having some vague idea of what marriage might be.

uscatholic.org/life/2008/07/annulments-what-never-was is a link to an article, rather long, which shows people’s attitudes towards the tribunal process and sets out some people’s problems with decrees of nullity. I have some issues with the article, but it does give a fairly clear indication of how some people view the matter.

And to all of that, I would add how the Church views sacraments; they are not simply “ordinances”. It would be a long conversation.

 

[MaryT777]

Do you have a target audience in mind? I think the explanations would differ depending on whether you are speaking to someone who is already in the Catholic Church, to someone who is Christian but not Catholic, or to someone who is not even a Christian.

In each case I think you have to address the authority role the Church hierarchy plays in the life of Christians. Someone who believes that “the Church” is just a name given to a group of people who have similar beliefs is not going to respect the authority of the Church to have a say about the validity or permanence (let along sacramentality) of marriage.

Well said.

 

[srfnolen]

Do you have a target audience in mind? I think the explanations would differ depending on whether you are speaking to someone who is already in the Catholic Church, to someone who is Christian but not Catholic, or to someone who is not even a Christian.

In each case I think you have to address the authority role the Church hierarchy plays in the life of Christians. Someone who believes that “the Church” is just a name given to a group of people who have similar beliefs is not going to respect the authority of the Church to have a say about the validity or permanence (let along sacramentality) of marriage.

It is a response for an individual who is regularly attending the Catholic Church but this subject is a hurdle for him.

 

[thistle]

It is a response for an individual who is regularly attending the Catholic Church but this subject is a hurdle for him.

Is this person a baptised Catholic?

 

[otjm]

It is a response for an individual who is regularly attending the Catholic Church but this subject is a hurdle for him.

He has a fair amount fo company. Is he divorced, and has a petiton been filed, or granted?

 

[HelenRose]

It is a response for an individual who is regularly attending the Catholic Church but this subject is a hurdle for him.

It will be his choice to love the Church enough to obey or to disobey and leave the Church. The truth is never easy nor was the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for us.

The Church is not just a social club in which we have the right to dictate what She should teach. She is the Bride of Christ. We can either accept Her or reject Her. There is no lukewarm way to be a Catholic.

 

[otjm]

It will be his choice to love the Church enough to obey or to disobey and leave the Church. The truth is never easy nor was the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for us.

The Church is not just a social club in which we have the right to dictate what She should teach. She is the Bride of Christ. We can either accept Her or reject Her. There is no lukewarm way to be a Catholic.

While I sympathize with your comments, it may be possible that the individual has deeply personal reasons for having a problem with the whole concept or a decree of nullity. And I did not see anything about him considering leaving the Church - perhaps I missed it?

 

[Reuben_J]

It will be his choice to love the Church enough to obey or to disobey and leave the Church. The truth is never easy nor was the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for us.

The Church is not just a social club in which we have the right to dictate what She should teach. She is the Bride of Christ. We can either accept Her or reject Her. There is no lukewarm way to be a Catholic.

Thank you.