Catholic Singles

Fr. Jim,

I have a friend who wants to get an annulment. I have heard that the other party has to sign the annulment papers before it can go through. She doesn't believe he will sign the papers. Is there any way around that if that turns out to be the case? Thanks,

Ed

Hi Ed - Thanks for your question.

It's interesting how many things have been said about annulments and how much mis-information is out there about them, so I'm glad you messaged me and hope that we can continue to get the correct information out there about a sensitive and important issue.

An annulment is not a "church divorce" (as some have catergorized it as) where both parties in a sense have to sign off on it.  The annulment process puts the marriage on trial to see how it failed, what was lacking from it being a true sacramental union.

So in response to your question - if you're friend initiates an annulment, they will ask for her husband's name, contact information and someone from the "tribunal" (the office that deals with annulments) will reach out to him to ask him to share his perspective on the divorce, the marriage, etc. 

Whether the exhusband responds or not, or how he responds will not "make or break" the case as some fear it will.  In fact, this is one of the reasons annulments have costs attached to them, because there will be psychologists, or other trained professionals who will be able to read the honest responses, reactions, "testimonies" and help guide the church to point things out that perhaps some of us untrained in these areas would miss.

I would encourage your friend to meet with her parish priest to discuss the annulment process.  The Church hopes to bring spiritual healing to a painful situation, not re-open old wounds and "retry" the divorce proceedings.

Hope that brings some clarity,

God Bless,

Fr Jim