Has anyone had an anullment denied?

[Dr.Colossus]

This is something I’ve been wondering about recently. I know people always say “my anullment took over a year”, etc. Has anyone ever been (or know anyone who has been) denied an anullment? Has anyone who has ever served on a marriage tribunal denied someone an anullment? Is it very common?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Dr. Colossus:

This is something I’ve been wondering about recently. I know people always say “my anullment took over a year”, etc. Has anyone ever been (or know anyone who has been) denied an anullment? Has anyone who has ever served on a marriage tribunal denied someone an anullment? Is it very common?

Yes, I know of many cases that were.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Thanks. I’m just wondering, because it seems like an area that has the potential for a lot of abuse.

 

[jrabs]

Me too - many denied. Actually I left a forum that had some real nay sayers on it because their anullments had been denied.

My heart goes out to those people who have had a denial - however it is not a reason to rip hope away from others who are thinking about for have started the process.

An anullment can be a monumental blessing and is often a new lease on life.

 

[mercygate]

My spiritual director mentors a group for divorced Catholics who have been denied annulments. I admire those who accept this hard thing in a spirit of faith and penance.

 

[StephanieC]

I don’t know anyone who has had their request for an annulment officially denied. I do know, however, several people who chose to abandon their efforts before the process was complete.

My former pastor was (is) a canon lawyer who served on the marriage tribunal in a northeastern diocese. He shared with us in the RCIA class on Marriage that many people will choose to say that their annulment was “denied” or “cost too much” rather than share the truth, that they did not do the oftentimes painful work of re-analyzing their marriage and obtaining the information requested of them by the tribunal, or the priest assisting them.

Having shared this, I agree with you, Dr. Colossus, that it seems to be an area for a good deal of potential abuse; i.e., just a “Catholic divorce.”

 

[Joe_Kelley]

In discussions with the Judicial Vicar, he pointed out that if an annulment is formally denied, the marriage declared valid, the decision is final. One cannot reopen the case on the same grounds if one obtains more evidence. Therefore if the case looks poor the petitioner will be advised to withdraw it and leave the door open for later action.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Interesting. I did not know that.

 

[Jamie_Burns]

An anullment can be a monumental blessing and is often a new lease on life.

From personal experience, I can say that working out all problems in a marriage, even serious ones can also be a monumental blessing and a new lease on life. The sanctity and permanence of these vows taken before Christ our Saviour is a wonderful incentive to listen, reform, and endure.

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

Has anyone ever been (or know anyone who has been) denied an anullment?

Henry VII has his request denied.

Then again, the denial was based more on politics than anything else.

An anullment can be a monumental blessing and is often a new lease on life.

I find this sentiment to be really sickening.

 

[FrmrTrad]

jrabs:

An anullment can be a monumental blessing and is often a new lease on life.

I think this is in some sense an unfortunate view, although we must trust the Church in these decisions; yet it strikes me that a refused annulment is a blessing in that the parties then know, in faith, that they deserve and must remain with their circumstances; in faith they should regard them as purifications.

 

[SDA2RC]

DominvsVobiscvm:

I find this sentiment to be really sickening.

I find it sad that you are “sickened” by the realization of a truth by the church, and the blessing that realization can effect on the petitioner. Do you also find the Sacrament of Reconciliation “sickening”, it also is a blessing to many who have led lives of sin, especially me!

I would bet, by your response, that you have not been in this position with an annulment, and I suggest that before you are “sickened” you try to empathize with some of the circumstances that other face in their lives, and realize that the church is not announcing a curse or a “sickening” judgement, but instead is confirming a truth in two peoples lives!

Is it nice to be looking down from where you are?

Brandon