Catholic Singles

Dear Father Jim:

I am now a widow, not married in the Catholic Church. Since this was my second marriage, the first one was in the Catholic Church and had five children. What is my standing in the Church currently. In my eyes, I am back to the first marriage in the Church. I am considering an annulment of the first marriage, but it seems that I am discounting the marriage and the five children. Can you help me better understand.
Thank you

Thanks for your question, and I hope I can be of help about this, particularly since many people who are in similar situations have similar concerns and questions.

In no way does the Church believe that if a marriage ends in divorce, (and ultimately an annulment is granted) that it somehow makes the children "illegitimate."  The focus of annulments is on the marital bond itself.  The Church is simply protecting the vows that people make to one another and honoring those vows. 

So when an annulment is granted, it's not pretending that the wedding didn't take place.  It's saying that there was something deficient, something missing that resulted in the union dissolving.  The blessing of children is always seen as that - a blessing.

In regards to your current situation, despite the fact that you've been remarried and are now widowed, that didn't change the status of the first marriage.  So I would suggest you'd discuss things with your parish priest about starting an annulment process.

God Bless!

Fr Jim