Role of "absent" wife in annulment

  • Thread starter Thread starter Clang74
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Clang74

Guest
I’m currently in the process of seeking annulment. Due to a small Tribunal workload, the process has been progressing quickly. I sent my petition in late February, accepted in mere days, interview first week in March (could have been the next day, but schedules conflicted). My ex-wife’s deadline to provide testimony was April 2nd…she did not submit testimony, and was deemed “absent.” In the last week, I’ve been given the grounds for the case and given the opportunity to review testimony (and review the decision when it’s available). All of these have had deadlines for a reply.

I’ve been promptly communicating my thoughts on these matters, hoping that a swift decision will allow both of us (to varying degrees) to move on with our lives. Basically, avoiding the “if we do not hear from you by XX/XX/2019, we will move forward as-is.”

My question is: With my ex-wife being deemed “absent”, is she receiving the same correspondence with the same deadlines? I know that ethically and as a matter of church law, she’s to be given an opportunity to review the testimony. However, how is an absent respondent handled? Is she still included in each step of the process, or is her lack of initial participation deemed as disinterest?

*A little background: My ex-wife was the petitioner in the divorce. She was raised in a Protestant family with a former-Catholic mother (in my experience, former Catholics tend to be the most outspoken in criticism of the Church). Her reception to my petition (even after being informed it would be coming) ranged from anger, to confusion (she doesn’t understand the difference between the civil and sacramental aspects of our bond), to dismissiveness. I don’t anticipate any participation at this point after she didn’t submit her testimony.

Opinions and prayers are appreciated.
 
Last edited:
My expectation is that she should have the same rights as you. I expect she would receive a letter stating that she has the right to review the testimony, and another letter with the results of the decision and advice on next steps should she choose to take them (I suspect it would be unlikely she would take any additional steps, given what you describe). @acanonlawyer may be able to provide a more definitive answer.
 
Thanks, His_helpmeet! It’s along the lines of what I was thinking, but I also find it odd that a respondent who is deemed “absent” would be involved in every other step of the process (after failing to provide the initial step.) That being said, I actually feel better knowing that there should be no grounds (poorly chosen word) for her to say, “I wasn’t involved.”
 
My ex chose to ignore the process. The annulment was finalized after four months. I wrote her a letter encouraging her to go to confession and return to the faith, but never received a response. My only news of her is through my son. There’s only so much we can do.
 
I’ve been truly surprised by how swiftly this has been progressing. The workload for the tribunal is currently so light that the diocese has had local priests talking to “known couples” where one or both have prior marriages that have not been annulled. “Opportunity to see if they can ‘make this right’” as it were…
 
His_helpmeet said:
may be able to provide a more definitive answer.
Click to expand...
Haha. Well, I could give an answer that seems definitive but it could still be wrong in this circumstance. You never can tell what might happen in particular cases…

Dan
 
I appreciate the feedback from everyone. There seems to be a lot of conflicting advice being offered in nearly every scenario I encounter in my annulment case. A lot of it requires me placing my trust and faith in the Tribunal…and that’s absolutely against my “trust but verify” nature. It’s been a test of my faith…and I’m growing through it. “Hurry up and wait” as it were. Without these forums, I’d be afloat at sea on many of the scenarios.

I’ve adopted the “assume the most restrictive option” approach to all of it. Any/all hardship/suffering/etc. is being offered up to God. Thank you all for your caring and advice!
 
Trust your advocate, they have volunteered for this work out of love.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top