|
User Submitted Articles |
User Posts |
Comment On This Article
User-Submitted Article:
Ten Common Annulment Myths
|
|
|
Important
Notice: We make no guarantee regarding
any item herein. We are not liable for any occurrence which may
result from using this site. By using this site you agree to all
terms. For terms info.,
click
here. |
|
This is a user-submitted article. We make no guarantees regarding any
item herein. Note that views of author do not necessarily reflect our
views.
|
|
Ten Common
Annulment Myths
By
A.E.P.
|
Summary: Discussion of ten commonly held myths regarding
annulments.
Keywords: Decree of Nullity, Annulment, Annulments, Annulment Myths, Myths Regarding
Annulment, Divorce, Marriage, Matrimony |
In this article, I will attempt to address 10
common annulment+ myths:
* Myth 1: Annulments are the same as 'divorces'
* Myth 2: An annulment can end a valid marriage
* Myth 3: The Church has the power to end a valid marriage via an
annulment
* Myth 4: Anyone can get an annulment
* Myth 5: My spouse cheated on me so I can get an annulment
* Myth 6: My spouse left me so I can get an annulment
* Myth 7: My spouse has 'remarried' so I can get an annulment
* Myth 8: You can't get an annulment if you have been together for a
very long time
* Myth 9: Someone who has obtained an annulment can remarry
* Myth 10: You can have only one valid annulment
Myth 1: Annulments are the same as 'divorces'
Fact: Annulments are NOT the same as 'divorces'. A
'divorce' purports to end a marriage. An annulment declares that a valid
marriage never really existed in the first place (even if it appeared
otherwise).
Myth 2: An annulment can end a valid marriage
Fact: An annulment does NOT and can NOT end a
valid marriage, nor does it intend to do so. Rather, an annulment simply
declares that a valid marriage never really existed in the first place
(even if it appeared otherwise).
Myth 3: The Church has the power to end a valid
marriage via an annulment
Fact: A valid sacramental marriage can NOT be
ended in any manner by any authority outside of death. The Church has no
power to end a valid marriage (and, despite what the State may like you
to think, it certainly has no power to end a valid marriage). Once a
couple is validly married, they are married for life. Even if they
obtain a 'divorce' by some civil authority, they are still married in
the eyes of God. NOTHING whatsoever other than the death of one of the
spouses ends a valid sacramental marriage. As Jesus has said, "Everyone
who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and the one
who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery." (Lk.
16:18) This teaching is also reinforced in other passages of Holy
Scripture, such as Mt. 5:31-32, Mt 19:3-9, and Mk 10:2-12. Therefore, it
is clear that the couple remains married even if they have obtained a
'divorce'. Clearly, the persons could not commit 'adultery' unless they
were still married.
Furthermore, it should be noted that Holy
Scripture says the following regarding those guilty of violations of the
6th commandment which forbids adultery [referring to adultery that is
unrepented & NOT to those who repent of their adultery and right their
situation]: "Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor
adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves
nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the
kingdom of God." (1 Cor. 6:9)
As has been expressed in Church law...
"A ratified and consummated valid marriage can
be dissolved by no human power and for no cause, outside of death."
(1917 Code of Canon Law, Can. 1118)
"A marriage that is ratum et consummatum can be
dissolved by no human power and by no cause, except death." (1983 Code
of Canon Law, Can. 1141)
Myth 4: Anyone can get an annulment
Fact: Only those who never had a valid marriage to
begin with are eligible for an annulment [e.g. those who never intended
to be married for life, those who had an impediment (e.g. one of them
was already married, they were close relatives, etc.)]
Myth 5: My spouse cheated on me so I can get an
annulment
Fact: Annulments have nothing to do with the
treatment of either spouse once married. While this is an unfortunate
situation, you would still not be eligible for an annulment unless your
marriage was NEVER valid to begin with. If your marriage was valid to
begin with, it is still valid and therefore you would not be eligible
for an annulment, even if your spouse was unfaithful. The purpose of an
annulment isn't to end a valid marriage, but rather to declare that a
valid marriage never existed in the first place. If the marriage was
valid in the beginning, the spouses remain validly married until one of
them dies, regardless of how the spouses treat each other.
Myth 6: My spouse left me so I can get an
annulment
Fact: Annulments have nothing to do with the
treatment of either spouse once married. While this is an unfortunate
situation, you would still not be eligible for an annulment unless your
marriage was NEVER valid to begin with. If your marriage was valid to
begin with, it is still valid and therefore you would not be eligible
for an annulment, even if your spouse has abandoned you. The purpose of
an annulment isn't to end a valid marriage, but rather to declare that a
valid marriage never existed in the first place. If the marriage was
valid in the beginning, the spouses remain validly married until one of
them dies, regardless of how the spouses treat each other.
Myth 7: My spouse has 'remarried' so I can get
an annulment
Fact: Annulments have nothing to do with the fact
that your spouse believes he/she is 'remarried'. While it is unfortunate
that your spouse thinks they are "remarried", you would still not be
eligible for an annulment unless your marriage to this person was NEVER
valid to begin with. If your marriage was valid to begin with, it is
still valid and therefore you would not be eligible for an annulment,
even if your spouse has taken up with another person (remember that you
are STILL MARRIED to each other, even if your spouse thinks he/she is
married to someone else - rather, you two are married and the two of
them continually commit adultery). The purpose of an annulment isn't to
end a valid marriage, but rather to declare that a valid marriage never
existed in the first place. If the marriage was valid in the beginning,
the spouses remain validly married until one of them dies, regardless of
what some may want to believe - we have Our Lord's word on it.
Myth 8: You can't get an annulment if you have
been together for a very long time
Fact: Annulments have nothing to do with the
amount of time involved. An annulment declares that a valid marriage
never existed in the first place. The mere passage of time cannot make
an invalid marriage valid.
Myth 9: Someone who has obtained an annulment
can remarry
Fact: Someone who has obtained an annulment can
marry, but not remarry. If they have obtained a valid annulment, they
were never married to begin with (despite how things may have looked) so
if they subsequently enter a valid marriage, they are not getting
"remarried", but are getting married for the first time. [This of course
excludes cases of widows / widowers who could validly remarry after the
death of their spouse.]
Myth 10: You can have only one valid annulment
Fact: It is possible that someone could have
multiple annulments if they continued to enter into unions that were not
valid sacramental marriages. Of course, this situation should not occur
(and most likely would present a grave threat to one's soul).
One final note: It does appear that there
has been much abuse in the annulment process since Vatican II. While
some may have lied or otherwise wrongly participated in declaring a
valid marriage null, that doesn't change the truth of the above. Any who
lied or otherwise corrupted the process will find that they must answer
for their actions at the terrible judgment. Such persons would do well
to keep in mind that marriage was part of God's plan in the very
beginning and it was confirmed and strengthened by Our Lord Jesus
Christ, who performed His first miracle at a wedding and is Himself
referred to in marital terms in Holy Scripture in association with the
Church (see Ephesians Chapter 5). Those who harm marriage do so at their
own risk.
 Signature:
A.E.P.
+ Note: This article uses
popular terminology. An 'annulment' is correctly called a Decree of
Nullity.
Click Link Below To View:
Submit a Comment About this Article ('add post')
Read Comments Regarding this Article (if applicable)
Read Other
User-Submitted Articles
Submit Your Own
Article
More About User-Submitted Articles
Read User-Submitted Posts
Submit Your
Own Post
For Information Related To This Topic Try:
Annulment
(Topic Page)
Catholic Life Section
Against Divorce & 'Remarriage' (Reflections) [Quotes
from Scripture, Popes, Saints, etc.]
More Information / Resources:
Click Here For Help =>
10,000+ Topics!
Click Here
For Thousands of Quotations From Popes, Saints, Scripture, Etc.
Categorized By Section
Looking For a Great
Catholic Home Page? Try the MCS Daily Digest™ (click here)
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Try Here
We make no guarantees regarding any item herein. By using
this site you indicate agreement to all terms. For terms information,
see "Important Notice" above and click
here.
|
