The Church presumes that all marriages are valid, binding spouses for life. However, when couples separate and divorce, the Church examines in detail their marriage to determine, if right from the beginning, some essential element was missing in their relationship. If that fact is established, it means that the spouses did not have the kind of sacred marital bond that binds them together for life. The Church offers the opportunity for a divorced person to have his/her previous marriage examined in terms of the essential elements of the marital bond. If an essential element is missing, then the Church issues a declaration of nullity (annulment) or invalidity and both parties to the previous marriage are free to marry in the eyes of the Catholic Church.

Since the Church views all marriage with respect, anyone, whether Catholic or not, who seeks to be married in the Church and is divorced must have his or her previous marriage annulled. If you are divorced and would like to petition the Church to have your previous marriage annulled or declared invalid by the Church, you may contact the pastor for information on the process. If annulment is declared, the petitioner is free to celebrate a marriage in the Catholic Church or have an existing marriage “blessed” or recognized with the Church. If the petitioner is in an existing marriage, he or she is then able to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church.