Divorce / Annulment / Remarriage questions

[solodad]

I was married in a Roman Catholic Church by a RC Priest to a baptized non-Catholic (Presbyterian) in 1996. We have one son and were divorced in 2002. She now wishes to re-marry a non-Catholic in a chapel that is governed by the local Archdiocese. This chapel allows non-denominational weddings, but my concerns are two-fold. Even though she’s a non-Catholic, is it ok for her to remarry in a Catholic facility? Although I am not against her remarrying, I have a problem with the setting. How does this affect me? Should I pursue an annulment of my marriage to her before she marries again? I would only do this in order to protect my future possibility of re-marrying.

I obviously treated my marriage as the sacrament that it is and in the eyes of the Church I remain married to her for life. I’m wondering if the grounds for an annulment could be based on her not fully understanding the sacrament part of marriage rather treating it only as a blessing.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

. . . I would only do this in order to protect my future possibility of re-marrying.
. . …

If there is any possdiblity that you will wish to marry in the future work on an anullment now. I offer two reasons:

1. As time passes memories fade and people move. It is harder to get the necessary witnesses.
2. Unless/until you receive a declaration of nullity, you are married and not free to enter into any relationship that might lead to marriage.

 

[rpp]

I would encourage you to seek an annulment, if for no other reason than for the sake of your ex-wife.

Keep in mind that a declaration of nullity is not guaranteed. It is an investigation of whether the sacrament of marriage was valid or not.

If your seek and are granted an annulment, that would apply to your ex-wide as well. Your son would not be affected as legitimacy is a civil issue, not a sacramental one.

If you do not seek an annulment or if you do and are not granted one, your ex-wife’s remarriage does not affect you or your son in any kind of canonical or sacramental manner.

As for the location of the wedding, that is between your ex-wife and whomever it is who is responsible for the chapel. Consider not involving yourself with that.

 

[puzzleannie]

I would not bother about her new arrangements, leave that up to the chapel people. It has no effect on your status in any case. but I would definitely pursue an annulment if you have reason to believe your marriage was invalid, that is there was something in the circumstances at the time of the marriage (not arising afterward) that made either of you unfree to marry, prevented full consent, reservations and intent to avoid the natural ends of marriage etc. the longer you wait, the harder to remember circumstances, get witnesses etc.

the status of your children is not affected by the annulment, nor by her remarriage