Ask the Experts

Home: Second Weddings: Religious Issues:
Do I need to get an annulment?

kbreaux82
New User

Post #1 of 4 (1635 views)

Do I need to get an annulment?

Do I need to get an annulment? Here is my situation.

For Me: I am Catholic, this is my second legal marriage, I have never been married in any church (all marriages have been done by a JP).

For My Husband: He is Baptist, this is his second legal marriage, he was married in the Baptist church for his first marriage to the Ex-Wife and he and I were only married by a JP - no church wedding.

Husband's Ex-Wife: She is Baptist as well, my husband was her second marriage in the Baptist church and she did not get an annulment for her first Baptist Church marriage before marrying my husband in the Baptist Church.

Do my husband and I still need to get an annulment to be married in the Catholic Church?

startingover
MARRIAGE PREPARATION ADVISORS

Post #2 of 4 (1628 views)

Re: [kbreaux82] Do I need to get an annulment? [In reply to]

According to Catholic Church canon law, you both need annulments from your previous marriages. As a baptized Catholic, you will need only to fill out the short form because you were married outside the Catholic Church without dispensation and this constitutes what is called a "defect of form."

For your future husband, if both spouses were baptized, he will need to complete the longer version of the annulment. This is the only way the Church can determine whether he is truly free to marry. If one or both spouses were not baptized, there are other avenues to pursue but you will need to consult with a priest.

The annulment can be a valuable tool for healing the wounds of the past and getting rid of emotional "baggage" which can influence new relationships.

Please talk with your priest and get started on the annulment process before you plan a wedding date. You must have all previous marriages annulled before you can wed in the Catholic Church.

May God guide you both with His grace and wisdom.
Kay and Dennis Flowers
Authors of
Catholic Annulment, Spiritual Healing

kbreaux82
New User

Post #3 of 4 (1623 views)

Re: [startingover] Do I need to get an annulment? [In reply to]

So I just need to fill out the short form to get my previous non-church related marriage annulled? Does my ex-husband have to sign anything as well?

And my husband will still have to go through the long process? His ex-wife never had her 1st marriage annulled (in the Baptist Church) so wouldn't that make her marriage to my husband null and void in the eyes of the church (Baptist Church) because she was not truly free to marry for the second time in the church (Baptist)?

the_admin
Remarriage Forum Moderator / Moderator

Post #4 of 4 (1620 views)

Re: [kbreaux82] Do I need to get an annulment? [In reply to]

Since you have many questions, and your situation is a bit complicated, you may be better off meeting with your local priest and allowing him to guide you. This is all part of what they do.
I Do - Take Two Moderator