Please advice-Disparity of Cult?

[Rosie1]

Hi, I’m new here. I’d like to seek advice on the next steps to take.

I was married for 5 years. I’m a practising Catholic (haven’t received Communion since civil divorce proceedings commenced), and my husband was born Catholic. His parents left the Church before his confirmation so he was never confirmed. He became Protestant.

When we wanted to get married, he agreed to come back to Church with me, and because he was baptised Catholic, I didn’t think we needed the disparity of cult dispensation.

We attended Mass for one year after our wedding, then he suddenly stopped. He started attending Protestant services again and he made me go with him (I’m from Nigeria, the culture is “do what your husband wants”). I hid the fact that I was no longer attending Mass from my family, but I wasn’t happy at all. My wanting to attend Mass caused a lot of arguments and some beatings.

I was pregnant 4 times, and I miscarried all 4 times. The Doctors said there was some kind of chromosomal defect due to poor sperm quality. While I would be pregnant, I wasn’t happy because I just knew he would never allow my children be raised Catholic.

Anyway, fast-forward to early last year and I had finally had enough. The beatings, the malice, the inability to provide all added up and I left and started civil divorce proceedings.

I am not seeing anyone, but I would like to get married and have children in the future. My question is, do I have grounds for an annulment?

Thank you.

 

[AdamP88]

I’m sorry to hear about your situation.
I doubt anyone here can answer that question definitively. It depends on the grounds that you apply under and the factors that are to be considered. It certainly sounds like you may have a fair shot at annulment. I would imagine that any marriage where domestic violence is par for the course would be likely to be invalid. Especially if it started at the beginning of the marriage.

Really though, the only way to know is to speak to your local diocese and begin the process.

 

[1ke]

haven’t received Communion since civil divorce proceedings commenced

There is no reason for you to refrain from the Eucharist.

When we wanted to get married, he agreed to come back to Church with me, and because he was baptised Catholic, I didn’t think we needed the disparity of cult dispensation.

A dispensation from disparity of cult is needed when a Catholic marries an unbaptized person. You did not need a disparity of cult dispensation.

Did you get married in the Catholic Church? Your priest should have explained things to you.

Anyway, fast-forward to early last year and I had finally had enough.

God bless you, I am glad you got out of that situation! Get some counseling for domestic abuse victims! It will be helpful to start the healing process. Are you in the US or elsewhere?

My question is, do I have grounds for an annulment?

I would encourage you to talk to your pastor about your situation and discuss pursuing a decree of nullity. We don’t have enough facts here to give any sound advice. Your pastor can help explain the grounds for nullity.

 

[Rosie1]

Thank you so much. I will see a Priest as soon as possible. Thank you so much