? re: Parents' Annulment

[lda]

I have a question regarding Marriage Annulment. My parents were for 30 years in the Catholic Church and my father now wants an annulment. He had 3 kids, was an abusive alcoholic husband and father, and committed adultery. He thinks that if he says he “wasn’t in his right mind” at the time of the wedding, he will be able to annul this marriage and will be free to marry his live-in girlfriend in the Holy Catholic Church.

What chances does he have? Do you think a tribunal will accept a testamony from an adult child about my father’s destructive pattern of behavior?

ANy advice and prayers would be appreciated!

Ida

 

[Dr.Colossus]

There are many factors that a marriage tribunal will consider, and abuse, addiction and infidelity are some of them. They do not guarantee anything, but it is very possible that a tribunal could find in favor on an annulment.

Regarding your father’s motives, however, I wonder why he is seeking dissolution of his former marriage by the Church is he is not trying to follow the Church’s teachings in other matters. Cohabitation is expressly forbidden by the Church.

 

[kage_ar]

From what I understand, only those who were witnesses at the time of the marriage are asked to give information regarding a degree of nullity. A child who was born after the wedding took place cannot be a witness to the parties at the time of the attempted marriage - the day of the wedding and the period of time leading up to that wedding. A marriage either took place (is valid) or did not (is invalid/null), it did not take place then become invalid. There are people who live together for many years in an invalid marriage - pray for the members of the tribunal, and for your mother as well.

 

[chicago]

Even if the marriage were annulled, the tribunal could place restrictions on any future marriage within the Church if he doesn’t show that he has resolved these problems and is trying to live faithfully.