RCIA and annulment of marriage

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anjoh66

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Hi !

I have a friend that wants to become catholic, his problem is that he was married previously, probably not valid but still, so here in sweden usually the rcia classes begins in november so this year he must spend as a pre cathecumenate until he can be recieved into the rcia in november.

The question is if he can start the annulment process before being recieved into the church as a catechumen or must he wait until he is officially recieved into the church as a cathecumen?

Thanks!!!
 
Well here in the states, I believe he could begin the Annullment process before te beginning of the RCIA … participation in RCIA is not required for annullment …

He really needs a priest/parish - I am assuming if he wants to join RCA he must be attending a parish or interacting with some catholic community … but he might even be able to begin through the diocesan office …

Is this person engaged to or dating a catholic and is that the “reason” behind the annullment? …

Because being divorced is not a hinderance to becoming catholic … it is an impediment to marriage or technically re-marriage… as in - if you have married, divorced, remarried and then decide to enter the church, the status of your marriages [the Sacramentality/Validity of the first marriage impacts the second] would need to be determined before you could receive the Sacraments [Baptism - if not already Baptized, Reconcilliation, Confirmaiton and Eucharist] … similarly if a divorced person desires to marry a Catholic, the Sacramentality/Validity of the first marriage must be resolved …

If they are divorced and not remarried nor considering remarriage and solely desire to be “catholic” then they can enter into the church … no annullment required … though for practical reasons - like dating, etc … it would be advisable …

My advice is for this man to discuss this issue with his priest 👍 … get good [local] advice - it will be far better than an international Forum of amatures :rolleyes: … like my advice above 🤷 though I did want to be helpful 😃
 
anjoh66 said:
Hi !

The question is if he can start the annulment process before being recieved into the church as a catechumen or must he wait until he is officially recieved into the church as a cathecumen?

Thanks!!!
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yes he can and should speak with the priest as soon as possible, lay out all the particulars of his current marriage situation and all previous marriages, and find out what he needs to do, and let the priest help him get started. Ideally this should be resolved before he is received into the catechumenate.
 
puzzleannie said:
Ideally this should be resolved before he is received into the catechumenate.
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I’m not sure where that comes from, but that is absolutely UNcommon.

Rather, upon deciding to join the church, when interviewed by the priest or whoever is running the RCIA program, all these questions get fleshed out. You will get assigned a case sponsor who will guide you through the process.

It is completely normal for people to get the petition completed and submitted to the tribunal and then attend RCIA classes, go through the Rite of Acceptance, Rite of Sending and Election, scrutinies, right up to the point of being ready for baptism and confirmation while a petition is in progress. Then, when the decision comes from the tribunal, they are immediately baptized and confirmed.

That describes exactly what has occurred for me in my process of joining the church. Immediately after my initial interview I was put in contact with our case sponsor and got my petition completed and submitted. We’ve proceeded as if I would be baptized at the Easter Vigil, knowing I might not be able to do so without a final ruling. In my case I just learned last Sunday that my petition had been approved and I was good to go.
 
In this diocese a candidate is not supposed to come before the bishop for election if there is still an unresolved tribunal case. It is very wrong to let the person proceed all the way to Easter then deny the sacraments because the marriage is still at issue. He can certainly begin the inquiry process, and it is the responsibility of the RCIA director and pastor to make sure all the issues, marriage included, are identified and addressed early in the process, so the necessary steps can be taken, paperwork gathered etc. If the bishop and pastor so judge, they can even be accepted into the catechumenate, but what so often happens is that the marriage issue does not even arise until right before Easter, because no one has asked the proper questions.

this person needs to sit down with the Catholic pastor now and have a frank discussion. The Catholic friend would be a very good person to be their sponsor throughout this process, and I hope that happens. it is also devoutly to be wished that parishes will get with the program and welcome inquirers throughout the year without imposing and artificial deadline.
 
Ah I see what you were getting at now puzzleannie, and I agree.

I tend to think of this in the context of our local RCIA process, and we are truly blessed with a thorough, rigorous, deep and formal program run by a devote woman with a theology degree. Believe me, my initial interview(s) covered everything, and she put me in contact with our case sponsor before I left her office the first time, which was almost a year ago now.

I feel so lucky that we have a great program here. I love our RCIA program and I wouldn’t miss a meeting or a BOW for anything short of death, dying, bleeding or…well something bad like that.
 
Hi
We talked to the priest in my parish about it and he sent him to another priest in our main cathedral and that one is expert in canon law so we will see what will happen.

They have an appointment next week so all we can do is pray everything will be ok.
 
Hi again!
Well now he has talked to the official for our diocese and he saw no problems with annulment, however he was told that they must obtain a decree from the bishop.

What kind of decree is that?

And can he get that decree before being accepted as a catechumen or must he be recieved first as catechumen?

Can a bishop issue a decree for someone who is not baptized and not recieved as a catechumen?
 
anjoh66 said:
Hi again!
Well now he has talked to the official for our diocese and he saw no problems with annulment, however he was told that they must obtain a decree from the bishop.

What kind of decree is that?

And can he get that decree before being accepted as a catechumen or must he be recieved first as catechumen?

Can a bishop issue a decree for someone who is not baptized and not recieved as a catechumen?
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If your friend’s ex-wife was also unbaptized, your friend would not petition for a decree of nullity, but for a Pauline Privilege.
“The Pauline Privilege applies only when both parties were unbaptized at the time of the marriage. It is not the same as an annulment. The Pauline Privilege dissolves a real but natural marriage. An annulment is a declaration that no valid marriage ever existed.”
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This would most likely not be a Tribunal issue, but may be granted by the bishop.

If your friend is divorced, and his wife has no intention of reconciling with him, or wants to reconcile but plans to obstruct his practicing his new-found faith, then the Pauline privilege will most likely be granted.

Here is more information:
catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9312qq.asp

As to whether the bishop will grant this privilege and dissolve the marriage prior to your friend officially being a catechumen – that depends on the bishop. Your friend should ask the diocesan official – and he should submit the paperwork now.
 
quiet52 said:
If your friend’s ex-wife was also unbaptized, your friend would not petition for a decree of nullity, but for a Pauline Privilege.

This would most likely not be a Tribunal issue, but may be granted by the bishop.

If your friend is divorced, and his wife has no intention of reconciling with him, or wants to reconcile but plans to obstruct his practicing his new-found faith, then the Pauline privilege will most likely be granted.

Here is more information:
catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9312qq.asp

As to whether the bishop will grant this privilege and dissolve the marriage prior to your friend officially being a catechumen – that depends on the bishop. Your friend should ask the diocesan official – and he should submit the paperwork now.
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Thanks

The paper works are in progress and i think but i am not sure, that he will berecieved as a catechumen at the day of ashes.

But i guess the pauline privilege can not be valid until he is baptized, am i right?

I mean the mariage can not be dissolved until he gets baptized and thereby a christian, that privilege does not work for catechumens does it?
 
awantz said:
I live in USA and I had an annulment before RCIA.
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I see, well the things are progressing and after he talked to a priest at the diocese office the priest said it will be done the easy way.

Means that they can imply the pauline privilege, but that can only be done after the baptism, not before.
 
anjoh66 said:
I see, well the things are progressing and after he talked to a priest at the diocese office the priest said it will be done the easy way.

Means that they can imply the pauline privilege, but that can only be done after the baptism, not before.
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That sounds like me. I was baptized before I ever heard of the Catholic Church.
 
anjoh66 said:
Hi !

I have a friend that wants to become catholic, his problem is that he was married previously, probably not valid but still, so here in sweden usually the rcia classes begins in november so this year he must spend as a pre cathecumenate until he can be recieved into the rcia in november.

The question is if he can start the annulment process before being recieved into the church as a catechumen or must he wait until he is officially recieved into the church as a cathecumen?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Simple short answer YES. Have him discuss this with the priest and he will be guided from there.
 
I’m right in the middle of all of this

here is a bit of my background Married… Divorced… Remarried to another, decided to enter Church started Annulment process and I am in RCIA, Catechumen, we thought everything was going through before Easter and I just received right of Election / Sending and signed the book.

Monday I received a letter that I need to go before the judge for further questioning, when this process started after reviewing my interrogatory they sent me a list of approx 6 reasons why my 1st marriage was not valid and now they want to question me further???
what can I expect
 
I hear it is part of the annulment process. I heard that it will be just a 15minute session.
I have a friend who went through the process of an annulment.

I have also applied and am waiting for the Tribunal to contact me so I can be interviewed.

Please let me know what questions they ask you. I am sure they will just ask you some basic questions.

My advise is to be prepared to re-state what you wrote on your annulment papers.
I am planning to blame myself and my parents because they were also at fault.
My ex-spouse was not prepared for marriage either.
I plan to answer the questions as clearly as possible.

I hope you get some answers from others here who have been questioned by the Tribunal office. Luci
 
Having taken part on a tribunal before, you can expect an honest, objective inquiry. Questions will be direct, probing and an honest direct answer is always the best way to reply.
 
Hey Carey, I notice that Deacon Ed B has answered your question. He has had the experience of being part of the Tribunal annulment process.

Many Deacons’ have the experience of helping people with the process of an annulment so I am happy that a Deacon has answered your question.

Don’t be afraid of the interview session. Be happy that it will all be over soon for you.
God is with you always. Peace, Luci
 
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