Why can't a person in need of an annulment become a Catholic?

[CollegeKid]

In the Apologetics forum, someone stated that a non-Catholic who wishes to become Catholic but cannot get a previous marriage annulled cannot be received into the Church. Is this true? I must admit I have a hard time reconciling this teaching, because the Church claims to be that which Christ founded on earth, so I would assume Jesus would want everyone in it, no matter what sins they had in their past as long as they were repentant.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear CK,

There is no question that Jesus wants every one in the Church so long as everyone is repentant and has a firm purpose of amendment. One has to be willing to amend one’s ways after one has sinned in order to be truly repentant.

If a Catholic who is seeking an annulment is living a celibate life-style and intends to remain so until the annulment in granted and one is married in the Church, then that person can be admitted into the Church. But if he or she is having sexual relations with the current spouse of a second marriage, then there is no firm purpose of amendment. To enter the Church in such a state would be a further sin.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.