In seeking an annulment, what if my ex chooses not to respond?

[AdalynsDad]

I am currently married and my wife and I are both Catholic and want to have a church wedding. Her previous marriages are annulled and I’m doing the paperwork on mine. I’ve been having issues getting in touch with my first wife and having her respond to my messages. She is remarried and when we last spoke over ten years ago she stated that her then fiance did not know she was previously married. I have written to her twice and left two voice mail messages. I’m 100% sure I have the right number. I’m just not clear as to what my next step is here with this. I cant make her fill out the information and who am I to cause problems with her current marriage which is the last thing I want or am looking to do. When it comes down to the end, how will this effect getting the annulment other then causing a delay? She isn’t a religious person and neither of us were Catholic or serious about any faith at the time when we married back in 1996. I was 20 and she was 18 and got married way too young. I know our age is going to be taken into account but aside from that, what is done when an ex spouse who isnt even Catholic or religious, refuses to cooperate in the annulment process?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Not to worry! The first spouse does need to be contacted. But the annulment does not necessarily ride on whether or not that person chooses to respond. It is possible for the annulment to be granted without her response. The fact that you both were so young counts high in your favor.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.