Marriage/ Tribunal quesiton

[Rk1980]

This is kind of confusing so I am sorry if I do not explain it correctly.

7 years ago I got a civil divorce at the time I was a non-Catholic. I had only been married 22 months, the marriage ended due to infidelity on the ex’s part. I’ve since taken the classes and joined the Catholic Church. I met my fiancée a year ago and became engaged this past March. In Dec. however I did start the annulment process in my dioceses the annulments if granted are running around 8months or so. My ex and I are civil and he did tell the tribunal via an email that the marriage between him and I should never have taken place, we were to young and did not understand the long term commitment. Anyway our priest let us set a date next year (yes I know they aren’t supposed to but many do) and agreed to let us go through the marriage counseling classes with the understanding they could not marry us if the annulment comes back saying no, or if it’s not complete by then. Since this he’s been given a new assignment and is leaving shortly. He’s asked that we meet with the new priest to continue our classes since he will be the one to marry us. The new priest I have found out is the head of the tribunal handling my annulment and will remain the head as well as being the priest at our church. Kind of what everyone’s thoughts… I am thinking he’ll have to follow the “rules” more so then the other and may not allow us to continue our classes until we get the annulment back. I am hoping this is not the case, my advocate based on all of the evidence does not see them denying it… so I am hoping we can continue our plans.

 

[EasterJoy]

New pastors very often bend over backwards not to push over their immediate predecessor’s apple carts. It is too soon to worry; if anything, this new pastor may be in a position to see that your case is moved along more quickly.

As you go through the process, by all means consult with him! He will be a great resource. For other people coming to these forums, I’d say the Liturgy and Sacraments forum is the most likely to be able to give good answers on questions about marriage tribunals, canon law and process concerning validity, how to make the process of obtaining a decree of nullity the most efficient, and so on.

 

[pianistclare]

This is kind of confusing so I am sorry if I do not explain it correctly.

7 years ago I got a civil divorce at the time I was a non-Catholic. I had only been married 22 months, the marriage ended due to infidelity on the ex’s part. I’ve since taken the classes and joined the Catholic Church. I met my fiancée a year ago and became engaged this past March. In Dec. however I did start the annulment process in my dioceses the annulments if granted are running around 8months or so. My ex and I are civil and he did tell the tribunal via an email that the marriage between him and I should never have taken place, we were to young and did not understand the long term commitment. Anyway our priest let us set a date next year (yes I know they aren’t supposed to but many do) and agreed to let us go through the marriage counseling classes with the understanding they could not marry us if the annulment comes back saying no, or if it’s not complete by then. Since this he’s been given a new assignment and is leaving shortly. He’s asked that we meet with the new priest to continue our classes since he will be the one to marry us. The new priest I have found out is the head of the tribunal handling my annulment and will remain the head as well as being the priest at our church. Kind of what everyone’s thoughts… I am thinking he’ll have to follow the “rules” more so then the other and may not allow us to continue our classes until we get the annulment back. I am hoping this is not the case, my advocate based on all of the evidence does not see them denying it… so I am hoping we can continue our plans.

They all have to follow the rules, and as far as I can tell, your priest didn’t promise you anything incorrectly, in fact, he made sure you understood all that could possibly happen. I suspect everything will be fine. Give the new guy a chance to do his job. Peace to you, and congratulations.

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

I don’t normally disagree with those with Holy Orders out of respect, but in this case your priest was wrong. You are not free to marry, and the priest should not have permitted marriage counseling nor allowed the setting up of a date, simply because he is not allowed to do so.

I’ve been their myself. The pastor of the Church we attend would not set up a date nor allow any type of counseling until he had all our paperwork in hand. And we had already been civilly married for over a decade, had children attending Church, already had our annulments completed years prior, and the priest us very well.

I know it is a pain in the neck and you want the issue resolved (as did I), but be patient. Once the priest has the annulment(s) and the other paperwork in hand (divorce papers, baptismal certificate(s), necessary dispensation(s) if applicable, etc.), it will go quickly. Depending on your circumstances, pre-marital counseling may simply be a meeting with the priest, and a convalidation shortly thereafter.

Best of luck!