In Need of Help re Annulment

[StateofGrace]

My husband and I have been married 28 years and have three children. We were baptised and very active in our Baptist church until two years ago. We found our spiritual home in the Catholic church and desperately want to become a part of the church. We are presently going through RCIA. I was married many years ago and understand that I must get that marriage annulled. Here’s my dilemna, My first husband is not a Christian, in fact is atheist, and has stated he will have nothing to do with any inquiry into annulling our previous marriage. In fact he finds it humorous that he can keep me in a perpetual state of sin. I don’t know if I should stop attending RCIA and forget about the annulment or just continue going to mass knowing we can never truly be Catholic ??? Any (name removed by moderator)ut into what I should do will be appreciated.

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

My husband and I have been married 28 years and have three children. We were baptised and very active in our Baptist church until two years ago. We found our spiritual home in the Catholic church and desperately want to become a part of the church. We are presently going through RCIA. I was married many years ago and understand that I must get that marriage annulled. Here’s my dilemna, My first husband is not a Christian, in fact is atheist, and has stated he will have nothing to do with any inquiry into annulling our previous marriage. In fact he finds it humorous that he can keep me in a perpetual state of sin. I don’t know if I should stop attending RCIA and forget about the annulment or just continue going to mass knowing we can never truly be Catholic ??? Any (name removed by moderator)ut into what I should do will be appreciated.

Yes you dont need you first husband to participate in the process for the process to move forward
Also dont drop out RCIA but do get the paperwork started on your annulment!

 

[StateofGrace]

Yes you dont need you first husband to participate in the process for the process to move forward
Also dont drop out RCIA but do get the paperwork started on your annulment!

Thank you for responding. Are you saying I don’t need my first husband to participate in the process of annulment? Ialso thought of something else, don’t you need witnesses to the previous marriage? That is an additional problem in that his parents are deceased as our mine and friends from that period of time well who knows where they are. Is that an additonal problem to this entire problem?

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

Thank you for responding. Are you saying I don’t need my first husband to participate in the process of annulment?

He has to be notified but if he does not want to participate he is not required to.

Ialso thought of something else, don’t you need witnesses to the previous marriage? That is an additional problem in that his parents are deceased as our mine and friends from that period of time well who knows where they are. Is that an additonal problem to this entire problem?

could be.
Best place to get anwsers is with the priest in your parish.
I suggest you go to him and tell him everything, see what he advises

 

[kage_ar]

Stay in RCIA!!!

Second - welcome

Third - sit down and talk with your Priest or call the Tribunal. I promise, they have worked with folks in your situation before, and they can provide the best help in your specific situation.

And keep praying!!

 

[StateofGrace]

Stay in RCIA!!!

Second - welcome

Third - sit down and talk with your Priest or call the Tribunal. I promise, they have worked with folks in your situation before, and they can provide the best help in your specific situation.

And keep praying!!

Thank you for the welcome. How I would hate to stop going to RCIA, I love learning about the church and going to Mass. I did think about asking our Priest but bless him all of this seems so new to him. This is his first church. I will continue to pray about this situation.

God Bless

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Thank you for responding. Are you saying I don’t need my first husband to participate in the process of annulment? Ialso thought of something else, don’t you need witnesses to the previous marriage? That is an additional problem in that his parents are deceased as our mine and friends from that period of time well who knows where they are. Is that an additonal problem to this entire problem?

Re witnesses there are several factors. Give your full story to the Tribunal and let them tell you what they need. It will probably help if you can prove that your first husband was not baptized.

 

[kage_ar]

You can locate your Diocese here:

usccb.org/dioceses.shtml

Then, either call the Diocese or go to the Diocese web site and find the office of the Tribunal. There will be someone at that office who can assist you, or, at least get you on the right path.

 

[puzzleannie]

talk to your pastor who can guide you in your individual situation, as we are not competent to do so here.

no, the ex does not have to participate or even complete the interview form

yes, witnesses who can testify to circumstances that pertained at the time of the marriage are invaluable as they back up your own testimony, but the lack of witnesses by itself will not stall the process.

get your priest’s help in getting started as it may be much simpler than you think. no reason to delay RCIA as you may as well take classes while you are waiting, although you will not celebrate the rites themselves while this is pending.

 

[sires6]

My husband and I have been married 28 years and have three children. We were baptised and very active in our Baptist church until two years ago. We found our spiritual home in the Catholic church and desperately want to become a part of the church. We are presently going through RCIA. I was married many years ago and understand that I must get that marriage annulled. Here’s my dilemna, My first husband is not a Christian, in fact is atheist, and has stated he will have nothing to do with any inquiry into annulling our previous marriage. In fact he finds it humorous that he can keep me in a perpetual state of sin. I don’t know if I should stop attending RCIA and forget about the annulment or just continue going to mass knowing we can never truly be Catholic ??? Any (name removed by moderator)ut into what I should do will be appreciated.

I am sorry for the difficulty that your ex is presenting. All of the others are correct… stay in RCIA, don’t worry about your ex. My ex did absolutely nothing to help my annulment and it went forward without a hitch. He can say whatever he wants, but the reality is is that the witnesses that you ask to help you give testimony will make the process move forward, not him. And he is not “keeping you in a perpetual state of sin”. He only wishes he had that power! You’re fine and congratulations on your journey home!

 

[THurifer2]

DO what the ohters say here. Please stary in RCIA…We need you former Baptists for you desire of Scripture and enthusiasm is nothing but a benefit for Catholics.

 

[StateofGrace]

Thank you all for your opinions and words of wisdom, they are greeatly appreciated.