Hi, guys —

My question is about annulments.

This is my situation:

I was born and baptized into the Catholic faith. I fell away from the Church as I aged into my teenage years. I was angry at the Church and God for what I perceived (at the time) as a unjust punishment. (I was born with one hand.)

In my mid-20s I met my future wife. I had not been married previously. She, however, had been previously married in the Church. Her first husband was Catholic but the marriage was abusive . . . to the extreme.

When we married, I was not active in the faith, nor was she. As many do, I felt the pull of the Church as I aged . . . especially when I saw the faith of my step-daughter blossom.

I have now returned to the Church in force however my wife has no interest in returning. She is even less interested in seeking an annulment from her previous marriage.

• Is there anything that I can do to receive Communion?
  

Living as brother and sister is not an option and divorce can't be the answer.

I feel so stuck.

John