Multiple Annullments?

[Buckeye5755]

A unique situation. I have been divorced twice, and am currently seeing a girl I care about, who is Catholic. I am not, at least yet. I grew up without religion, and was not baptized as a child (to my knowledge, almost all family is deceased). I was married first at 21, in Vegas. That lasted until my ex cheated on me. Before my next marriage, my fiancé baptized me in our living room as she was a Christian. That marriage dissolved when she refused to have children, after being open to it before hand.

My question is, do both, or just the 2nd marriage need annulled? The first, doesn’t seem to be a sacramental marriage, and I have no idea on her baptized status and am not in contact with nor know where she is. The 2nd was obviously after being baptized (whether valid or not), but I assume would need to be annulled due to that fact.

I know it will be important to her to attempt to do so if it continues down that path, so I’d like to know what I have to look towards doing in the near future.

Thank you all.

 

[Anesti33]

Yes, they would both need to be investigated to some extent. If the first attempt at marriage is found valid, then the second time would be prima facie invalid. But I am guessing that a (quickie?) Vegas wedding would lead to an easy declaration of nullity.

It could take a lot of time for these investigations to move forward, because of the passage of time and the difficulty contacting the parties. It is already kind of late in the game for you, so the sooner you contact your parish and get the ball rolling, the better.

 

[angell1]

if the first attempt is found valid, then no decree of nullity can be issued, but yes, they would both need to be investigated, and I echo the sentiment, the sooner the bettter

 

[Anesti33]

I have edited my post slightly because my canonical brain was not fully engaged when I wrote it. Yes, each attempt at marriage would need to be investigated in turn. The best outcome possible would be if both attempts were found null. But there is a real possibility that one or the other could be found valid, and then you would necessarily need to part ways with your girlfriend, as you are a married man.

I should also mention your baptism. If you should decide to become Catholic, the validity of your baptism will be called into question. Your 2nd wife might need to witness to her use or non-use of the Trinitarian formula and ordinary water. She might need to sign an affidavit testifying to her actions on that day. Failing all this, you might need to undergo a conditional baptism when being initiated into the Catholic Church.

Your future RCIA leaders will hopefully handle those kinds of eventualities, but I wish you all the best, and you will be in my prayers. You are in a most difficult situation, but with patience and perseverance, you can overcome these obstacles to faith, hope and love.

 

[1ke]

My question is, do both, or just the 2nd marriage need annulled?

This is a discussion to have with your priest. There are many factors that could impact the answer to this question including the baptismal status and prior marital status of your first wife, and the prior marital status of your second wife.

Each marriage will be examined in turn, starting with the first. Whether it is two annulment cases or something else will be determined when looking at the facts of each marriage, and what proofs are available.

Please reach out to your local Catholic pastor and start the conversation. Speculation is all to can get here, and frankly much of it may be inaccurate. That happens when posting on a public forum about a rather technical subject.

 

[1ke]

Your 2nd wife might need to witness to her use or non-use of the Trinitarian formula and ordinary water.

Actually, since he was adult he can complete the affidavit himself.

But there is a real possibility that one or the other could be found valid, and then you would necessarily need to part ways with your girlfriend, as you are a married man.

Not necessarily. While admittedly a complicated situation, it’s possible if the first marriage is valid, a favor of the faith petition could be made— depending on the details.

Let’s not put the cart before the horse.

 

[acanonlawyer]

A unique situation.

While yours is not the most common scenario, it is certainly not unique.

Who knows how the process(es) will turn out but people at your local parish and tribunal should be easily able to figure out what to do.

Dan