What is an annulment?
It’s not to be confused with a civil annulment. The formal term is “Decree of Nullity’ and ‘annulment’ has become the common phrase. Catholic annulment addresses the possible invalidity of the marriage due to defective consent. This means when the couple said "I do" maybe one of them really didn't mean it fully, or was unable to live up to it for some serious reason. While a marriage may be valid in the civil dimension, it can be invalid in the Church dimension. Think of it, in a certain sense, as our living in two worlds: one visible (earthly) one invisible (heavenly). This process only concerns itself with that heavenly dimension.

Despite heartfelt and good intentions, some people simply aren't able to live up to the vows they exchange, due perhaps to an addiction, severe immaturity, or some outside pressure such as an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Some have reserved the option of divorce even though they hope it never happens. That reservation invalidates their "I do", changing it to "I do... only certain conditions". And there's more.

What could make a marriage invalid?
Defective consent involves: Who, what, when, how, and why you said "I do". The Church recognizes - in her wisdom- that some people just aren’t capable of entering into a sacramental union ... like some children are not capable enough to drive a car even though their feet reach the pedals and they really want to drive. Some people who attempt to marry are extremely immature and--in a sense--may truly be unable to marry the way the Church requires.

And the church also recognizes—with the same love of justice and desire for mercy as Jesus—that imperfect people enter into what are called “attempted marriages”. Despite their good intent, their best efforts, and maybe a very long time, something vital was missing or in the way that prevented the union from ever being able to rise to the level of a sacrament.

Like what? Maybe one spouse was married before and not free to marry again. Or one was grossly immature, under age, under grave fear or pressure to marry (shotgun weddings), severely addicted, or refused to remain open to the gift of children. These are areas where the union can't reflect the free, total, faithful, fruitful love of the Bridegroom for His Bride and therefore can not be “sacramental” (pointing to and becoming caught up into the Mystical Marriage).

How does the Church determine these things?
It's a thorough, detailed process that requires gut-wrenching honesty. The annulment process requires the skills of trained clergy and laity who takes a good, hard look at the situation—including detailed interviews and testimonies—and (to the best of human ability) brings generous doses of God’s justice and mercy to the decision making process.
Those who worry that annulments are 'too easily granted' can rest assured that the marriage bond is always considered valid until proven otherwise. And that usually takes a lot of proof by competent witnesses.

But what if we were married for twenty years?
It sometimes doesn't matter how many children you had or how long you were married: it’s about the original state of mind and intent at the “I do’s”. If you or your spouse is granted a Decree of Nullity, you are both free to remarry according to church requirements.

Does it make our children illegitimate?
No! It doesn’t make your children illegitimate. And it doesn’t deny the love, affection, family ties, and other goods between you and your ex spouse. Sadly, these are myths that many Catholics believe.

Is it just a Catholic 'divorce'?
No. According to the Catholic Church a valid marriage can never be broken. Why? Because marriage is meant to image that unbreakable bond of permanent love between Christ and His Bride, the Church. The church has NO POWER to break an authentic marriage bond, but she does have the authority to determine--after thorough investigation--if that bond never formed and the marriage was invalid to begin with. Even if the parties wanted and hoped for a valid marriage, maybe one or both of them did not have the capacity or full intent to live it out. One example is when a person stands at the altar and thinks, Well, I hope we make it, but if he or she ever cheats on me, it's a deal breaker. I'm outta here! In that case the person has decided against the permanency of marriage. Their outward "I do" is contradicted (invalidated) by their interior reservations. But that intent has to be proven.

Isn't every marriage valid?
Not always. If it’s an authentic marriage, it has been “caught up into” and become part of the the unbreakable marriage bond between Christ with His Bride (all of us in His church). God never breaks His promise, He never leaves us. No 'divorce'. Ever. But at the time the two said "I do", there may have been a grave condition that trumped validity. For example, a pre-nuptial agreement holds something back from the other spouse. It's a condition that is a counter-image to Christ's fullness of giving Himself to us. Most pre-nups anticipate the possibility of divorce and are self-protective rather than self-giving. They turn the wedding "I do" into "I do NOT give you all". Most people are unaware of these conditions or the effect they have on the couple.

Is the US is giving too many annulments?
The annulment process, like any attempt to bring Truth and order into the world, can be misused. But many applications for annulments get rejected in the initial stages for lack of evidence.

For the last forty years, however, our culture has produced some of the most immature, selfish, entitled, addicted, and depressed "adults" who married too soon or for the wrong reasons, or who were utterly incapable of living out a sacramental marriage.
Perhaps it is not so much about the US tribunals being free with annulments as it is their recognizing the sad state of our culture and the need for grace.

But I still feel an annulment is wrong. Or I'm sure I can never get one.
Many people fear, resent, or fail to seek an annulment because they do not first have a full understanding of what it is. In rare cases, the other spouse has issued grave threats and someone may fear for his or her life in petitioning for an annulment. This is a complex situation but worthy of more research and an open mind. You do not have to seek an annulment if you do not plan to remarry. But please don’t deprive yourself and others of a beautiful gift out of lack of knowledge and misunderstanding.

You might want to find an informed priest or lay person who (1) has a sufficient understanding of canon law , and (2) is faithful to the Church's teachings, and seek his/her counsel.

I still feel married and I don’t want an annulment!
If the departing spouse filed for a Decree of Nullity and got one, is the marriage really over? Or should the remaining spouse continue to live as married? Each person must decide, but only after an honest and careful study of Church teachings, competent spiritual direction, an open mind, and a heart willing to be obedient, accepting and without bitterness.

What happens in the annulment process?
First a brief overview of what happens, showing how the marriage is assumed to be valid until clearly proven otherwise:

• In any annulment proceeding, both parties must be given the opportunity to respond in detail, to present their case, for why they believe the marriage bond was valid (or not). Their testimony has to be detailed, factual and of sufficient depth to support a claim. If not, the tribunal may not be able to move forward.

• Both bring in as many witnesses as necessary to corroborate their testimony.

• Both parties have the opportunity to read and review the other side’s responses and witness testimonies and address with any rebuttals.

• Any party can request a thorough psychological examination of the other.

• The favor of the law goes to UPHOLDING the MARRIAGE BOND. That means the burden of proof is on the one who says the marriage was not valid.

• A tribunal member is assigned to serve in the case as the “Defender of the (Marriage) Bond”. Like a defense attorney, his/ her job is to protect and defend the validity of the marriage.

If a competent tribunal has made a thorough and proper investigation—which always goes to a second court for review—and has found the marriage to be invalid, then a faithful Catholic should obediently accept the authority of the Church tribunal as he/she would accept the decision of Christ. As Catholics, the answer is not about how we interpret laws, or how we feel, it’s about surrendering in obedience to the authority Jesus gave His Bride, the Church. Even when it seems unjust.

Sometimes it hardly seems right or fair! This is a complicated cross to bear, but not impossible with grace, and one that can be spiritually fruitful. Obey the church; trust God.

Where can I find out more about annulments?
Contact your pastor for an appointment! He will be glad to guide you through the process.

I'm not going to get an annulment. How do I live out my vows after he/she has gone?
If you believe you had a valid marriage, then you can continue to live a holy and happy life alone, albeit after some time of mourning, forgiveness, adjustments, and lots of God's grace. You can learn to love your husband or wife on another level, a higher level, by keeping him/her in your prayers, remaining kind if you still have contact, and never bad-mouthing him/her to others--especially the children. And every good Catholic makes a thorough examination of conscience to see where he/she needs to go to the other person (even if he/she left you!) and seek forgiveness for all the ways in which you failed them.

What does SCRIPTURE Say? Whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matt 16: 18- 20

What does The CATECHISM Say? . . . the Church, after an examination of the situation by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal, can declare the nullity of a marriage. CCC 1629