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Ronald Herdman wrote:

Hi, guys —

I am and have been a daily communicant for 35 years. I am asking this question for one of my daughters.

My daughter is 42 and is a participant of our faith. She has never been married.

She met a man who was born a Catholic and divorced his wife over 15 years ago. I asked him, after he explained the circumstances, why he didn't apply for an annulment?

He explained, that he has a daughter that is now 20 years old and didn't want to offend God in getting an annulment because he had a child.

He has been more than responsible, in fact very generous, in his daughter's support and that of his former wife.

  • Can they marry in the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments?

Thank you.

With Love In Christ,

Ron
  { Does seeking an annulment offend God and can they marry in Church and receive the sacraments? }

Mary Ann replied:

Ron —

Your daughter's fiancé totally misunderstands annulments. They do not offend God.

They are a finding that something was lacking at the time of marriage that would render the marriage invalid. It affects the sacramental bond, not the civil marriage, which remains legal.

The children always remain legitimate; legal children of the civilly married couple.

Your daughter may not marry him until he receives a declaration of nullity, because the Church does not know if he is free to marry, (i.e. not married to that other person.) She [the Church] has to determine if there is a prior bond that still holds (because a true marriage is until the death of one of the spouses.)

Mary Ann

John replied:

Hi, Ron —

He will need to get an annulment or they will both be in a state of adultery.

However, this man is mistaken in his reasoning:

The annulment does not make the child illegitimate in any way, shape, or form.

So he should move forward and attempt to get an annulment.

  • If it is granted, he's free to marry.
  • If it is not granted, your daughter can't marry him but can still receive the sacraments.

John
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