The Annulment Support ministry reaches out to:
- People who have questions regarding their position in the Catholic church after a civil divorce.
- Individuals who are seeking information about an annulment for themselves.
- Civilly married couples who would like their marriage validated as a Sacrament by the Catholic Church.
How the Annulment Process Works
The process begins with an initial meeting, during which information about the annulment process (Declaration of Invalidity) including definitions, reasons for seeking annulment and Tribunal involvement are shared. The tribunal advocate helps the divorced person fill out the initial application and offers support during the annulment process.
The Catholic Church looks at five things when determining whether a marriage is valid.
A marriage may be declared invalid if something is lacking in any one of these five areas at the time of consent.
- The form of the marriage (this pertains only to Catholics and their exchange of vows in the presence of a priest or deacon unless a dispensation was received)
- The freedom of the parties
- The capacity of individuals for entering into marriage
- The individual’s knowledge of marriage and each other
- The intention of the parties when entering into marriage
In reaching out to divorced Catholics, who have not remarried, the Annulment Ministry notes:
- Divorced Catholics are not excommunicated
- Divorced Catholics may receive the Eucharist and Reconciliation
- Divorced Catholics are full members of the Catholic Church and can participate fully in the life of the Church.
- Children will not be illegitimate if a Catholic is granted an annulment (Declaration of Invalidity).
- An annulment must be granted on the previous marriage before a divorced Catholic can remarry in the Catholic Church.