Will the Church let me date after divorce?

[Kenneth100]

In the eyes of the Church, is it a sin to date after getting a legal divorce but prior to getting an annulment? If my annulment is not granted, can I never have an emotional relationship or even date again? What if I never plan to marry again?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

In the eyes of the Church, is it a sin to date after getting a legal divorce but prior to getting an annulment?

Yes. In the eyes of the Church, a civil divorce is the equivalent of a legal separation because a civil divorce can never end a sacramental marriage. Only if the Church determines that a sacramental marriage never took place
– in which case you’ll receive an annulment – would you be free to discern marriage to someone else by dating.

Kenneth100:

If my annulment is not granted, can I never have an emotional relationship or even date again?

“An emotional relationship”? Of course, a legally-divorced but ecclesially-married person can have “an emotional relationship” with another person. You can have an emotional relationship with a dog, for that matter, because “an emotional relationship” means merely to have feelings for someone or something. If your annulment is not granted, what you cannot do is to pursue a romantic relationship with anyone while your wife is alive.

Kenneth100:

What if I never plan to marry again?

Then you certainly shouldn’t be pursuing a romantic relationship with anyone because dating and romance are part of the discernment process for marriage. A person who has no intention to marry should not be involved in dating or courtship.