What is an Annulment?
The term “annulment” is a popular, but not accurate, word for a declaration of nullity. It is an official declaration by the Tribunal that what appeared to be a marriage was not a true marriage as the Church understands it. A declaration of nullity does not deny that a relationship existed, nor does it imply that the relationship was entered into with ill will or moral fault. Rather, after a careful and thorough study, the Tribunal issues a declaration of nullity when it is proven that some ingredient necessary for a true marriage (e.g., proper intention, sufficient psychological maturity, capacity, freedom, and knowledge) was lacking when consent was exchanged.
Contact Menchie Cabrera, Parish Advocate, for more information on the Annulment process.
916-683-2963 or ORE@gscceg.org
I read in the catechism that marriage is indissoluble. Why then does the Church issue annulments?
Sacramental marriage is indeed indissoluble. You can find this in several places in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Indissolubility is foundational to the union of marriage (CCC 1646) and required by spousal love (CCC 1644). This quality of marriage draws its meaning from the fidelity of Jesus to his Bride, the Church (CCC 1647). Spouses give themselves forever to each other. Through the vows and their consummation, the spouses form a covenantal bond that binds them as one. Indissolubility presumes and depends on this sacramental bond between the spouses.
Sometimes, however, there are impediments to marriage that are overlooked, poorly understood, or unknown. It is possible that at the time of the vows, something was either present or absent that made the consent invalid. The ceremony itself does not bring about the sacrament. The priest is the official witness of the Church, but he is not the minister of the sacrament. The husband and wife are the ministers of the sacrament to each other. Without the full, free, and able consent of the man and the woman, no sacrament takes place. An annulment does not destroy the marriage bond. It is an acknowledgement that the sacramental bond did not form in the first place.
©LPi
Can Divorced Catholics Take Communion?
Unfortunately, too many people today — Catholics and non-Catholics alike — mistakenly believe that divorce separates one from the Communion of the Church and that divorced persons may not receive Communion. However, as the Church has communicated in a number of places, the issue at hand is not the reality of divorce, but is more often the reality of re-marriage outside of the Church (such as in the case of a Catholic who was previously married within the Church, divorced, and remarried without receiving an annulment).
Divorced persons are called to live chastely as single people and to observe the same call to avoid sin as anyone else who desires to receive the Eucharist. Beyond this, however, Pope Francis has reminded us that the healing power of the Eucharist can be especially significant for those who have “endured separation, divorce, or abandonment … divorced people who have not remarried, and often bear witness to marital fidelity, ought to be encouraged to find in the Eucharist the nourishment they need to sustain them in their present state of life.” (Amoris Laetitia, no. 242) Moreover, he continues, “The local community and pastors should accompany these people with solicitude, particularly when children are involved or when they are in serious financial difficulty.” (AL, no 242)
As Pope Francis has also reminded us, the Eucharist is “not a prize for the perfect,” but “a powerful medicine and nourishment” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 47). Because we all stand in need of healing and wholeness, the Church invites all who seek to live their faith in integrity and devotion to come and receive the grace offered in the Eucharist.
©LPi
