E
erine
Guest
I have a probably dumb question but I need the validation to settle it in my mind.
When I was engaged we haphazardly said some marriage vows alone with no one else there.
Not only was it secret but it was due to the fact that I was having serious panic attacks due to living with an abuser at the time and wanting to escape. To be clear, I didn’t even remember the abuse at the time, and was not deliberately using my fiancé to escape; I’m speaking from hindsight here. But it was effectively a fear based thing due to severe PTSD and panic.
I realize there are at least three if not more factors that make these vows completely invalid according to canon law. Even had there been witnesses in a church and a presider, it would have been invalid due to my state.
I also confessed it and the priest kind of laughed and said “we’ll give you a dispensation.”
My question is, do I have to take any more “official” steps to declare it null or can I safely assume I am free to marry whom I please in the future? Normally with even invalid marriages an annulment procedure is needed, but I somehow feel like is case is not as serious, though I could be wrong.
I’m just asking because I get scrupulous and feel this tie that is probably just my scruples and not a matrimonial bond.
Thank you for your insights
When I was engaged we haphazardly said some marriage vows alone with no one else there.
Not only was it secret but it was due to the fact that I was having serious panic attacks due to living with an abuser at the time and wanting to escape. To be clear, I didn’t even remember the abuse at the time, and was not deliberately using my fiancé to escape; I’m speaking from hindsight here. But it was effectively a fear based thing due to severe PTSD and panic.
I realize there are at least three if not more factors that make these vows completely invalid according to canon law. Even had there been witnesses in a church and a presider, it would have been invalid due to my state.
I also confessed it and the priest kind of laughed and said “we’ll give you a dispensation.”
My question is, do I have to take any more “official” steps to declare it null or can I safely assume I am free to marry whom I please in the future? Normally with even invalid marriages an annulment procedure is needed, but I somehow feel like is case is not as serious, though I could be wrong.
I’m just asking because I get scrupulous and feel this tie that is probably just my scruples and not a matrimonial bond.
Thank you for your insights
Breathe easy. You’re good to go.