Yes to all questions. She did not quite use the language you have used in the first sentence, but it amounted to that. There was a piece in the CBS TV program 60 minutes where a Lutheran lady related a story quite similar to the one I have given, except that it was her Catholic husband who was unfaithful to the marriage and he was the one who applied for and received the marriage annulment.
Hello,
Did you forget that “almost no one in Columbia gets married…” If no one in Columbia is marrying, then how can they get a divorce?
You do know, that people lie in their paperwork, correct?
There’s a small percentage of people getting married and then an even smaller percentage of those getting divorced.
Hello Mr. Dan:
In the case that I had mentioned, the husband was thoroughly disgusted with the whole situation and as a result refused to participate in the annulment process. The wife had stolen his house and children and he had nothing left in life. His heart and his life were ruined. He and many of his relatives sobbed and cried for many days at the injustice of the situation, especially since his wife was so friendly (in an illicit sense) with the local priest.
Right - all of these are easy, “open-and-shut” cases, (as is a pre-nuptial agreement, btw). But it is true that, honestly, I think this is probably the minority of cases. They do exist (for example, my wife’s annulment was given due to her 1st husband marrying her only for a green card), but I think the vast majority are much vaguer instances - instances where a marriage ended, and the petitioner is looking for an “excuse” to why it wasn’t valid to begin with. Unfortunately, most of these are granted, as well, due to the fact that our catechesis has been poor in general, and specifically regarding what marriage is.
You say you know the case - but you must have left out some aspects … you say
…
They would require far more information then that. So they must have given more then what you presented.Yes!You say you know the case - but you must have left out some aspects … you say …
What facts were presented in support that she did not know what she was getting into? …
Did you know the couple before they married?
Did they live together or engage in sexual relations before marriage?
Was there abuse in either household growing up whether sexual, substance, physical?
How long did the couple know each other?
Did they use ABC in the marriage?
Are both active practicing Catholics?
I personally know many priests - not one of which would accept a case if someone walked in and said - I did not know what I was getting into when I married and I have a new boyfriend I want sleep with while actively practicing my faith …
What matters is the conditions that existed at the time of the marriage - behavior [like using ABC] can be an indication of the conditions that existed - not being open to life … or finding out that one of the parties had sex with a third person a month before the wedding as well as other adulterous relationships after could indicate they had no intention of fidelity …
A marriage contracted because of a pregnancy is not being made freely without pressure - laudable as it may be …
A young woman who is from a home where abuse is present may see it as an escape route - only to escape into a different kind of hell - even if they did not fully realize that is what they were doing at the time due to immaturity or other stress …
It is not as easy as you might think to obtain an annulment … and one of the complaints on your favorite website is the depth and personal nature of the questions being asked … they complain that there is something wrong - but also complain about the investigation being too intrusive … You cant really have it both ways …
I also note there is no real angst about the civil aspects - is it really so much worse to determine that the couple did not fully comprehend the vow they were making when they made it - more so then that the marriage ended by divorce … For example - the daughter’s story - she is not greatly concerned that her parents are divorced - actually seems somewhat relieved - but very concerned that the Church states no Sacramental marriage occurred. She indicates that her father is unstable - not wanting children … Would that not give credence that he was not well prepared for marriage? The real tragedy here is that her parents [both of them] failed to provide a stable home for her and her sister - instead of voicing that - she is mad at the Church.
I think people mourn the death of their marriages, it is not easy to fail at one of the most important life events you experience - one that is very public and involves a wide circle of people [children, family and friends] -
The annulment process can help them understand why it failed - even if the validity is upheld - thus it should be a positive process that can prepare them for future relationships … whether that is a renewal of opportunity for those whose marriages are upheld to rethink their separation/divorce, for those who might later marry again due to the decision - or those who know with certainty that they cannot date and marry because their marriage was determined valid …
From the SOS website:
Then what needs to happen is that the respondents need to follow through and be empowered. I’m sorry about what happened to your friend. I admit, abuses occur in every system. By the same token, there are many annulments that are granted where anyone on the street would agree with the petitioner, and there are a large portion that are “gray cases”, as it were. And actually, even if a tribunal grants a decree of nullity, they can also impose restrictions on the petitioner and/or respondent should he/she wish to remarry. They can even say that the petitioner and/or respondent can never remarry due to the factors that made it so that the annulment was granted being so deep-seated that it would be impossible for the person to enter into a valid marriage.
you are saying that this woman was having sexual relations with an active priest and all the man and the family did was cry … 
if this is in fact the case - the Bishop should be presented with the evidence …Did you know the couple before they married? Yes.
Xantippe:
If the wife was persistently unfaithful throughout the marriage, that does sound like a pretty good case for annulment–it suggests that she did not marry intending fidelity.
My thoughts too … especially after the “illicit relations” with a priest too …she is obviously someone who is not a respecter of vows …
The unfaithfulness did not occur until 15 years after the marriage.