Divorced and looking for closure? Remarried and yearning to return to the sacraments?
The Diocesan Tribunal has lay people, deacons and priests trained as Parish Advocates who assist and accompany people seeking an annulment. If you, or someone you know is thinking about an annulment, contact the Tribunal by phone (916) 733-0225 or by email at [email protected]. We are happy to answer your questions and help you get started.
“Myths of Annulments”
Myth #1: “An annulment will make my children illegitimate.”
TRUTH: An annulment has no civil effect and does not change the status or “legitimacy” of children.
Myth # 2 “It’s just a “Catholic divorce.”
TRUTH: The purpose of a civil divorce is to declare the end of a marriage. The purpose of an annulment is to determine the truth regarding the validity of a marriage at the time of the exchange of consent and thereby determine the status of the parties in the Catholic Church.
Myth #3 ”Marriages held outside a Catholic Church don’t count, therefore, no annulment is needed.
TRUTH: The Catholic Church presumes all marriages between a man and a woman are valid until proven otherwise. This includes marriages of Catholics, unbaptized persons, non-Christians and atheists and includes marriages held at a church, winery, wedding chapel, backyard, beach, etc.
Myth #4 “Annulments are expensive -If you don’t have the money you can’t get one.”
TRUTH: A formal case fee is $600. However, no one is turned away due to lack of ability to pay.
Myth #5 “Once you submit the paperwork it’s a slam dunk.”
TRUTH: There are no guarantees about an annulment. Each case is looked at individually because each situation is different, Not all cases are created equal. Some are more complicated. Not all cases submitted are granted annulments.
Myth #6 “If you are a big donor to the Church an annulment is always granted.”
TRUTH: Annulments cannot be bought. Donations, long term participation in a parish have no bearing on an annulment. One cannot “shop around” for an annulment, all tribunals follow the same procedures.
Myth #7 ”It takes three to five years to get an annulment.”
TRUTH: Most formal cases heard in the Sacramento Tribunal are finished in less than a year. Much depends on the participation of the parties and their witnessed to ensure a timely resolution to the case.
Myth #8 “Only Catholics need an annulment.”
TRUTH: To marry a Catholic in the Church, both parties— whether Catholic or not—must be free to marry. Any and all previous marriages must be addressed. Persons who have divorced and remarried civilly without an annulment, and wish to become Catholic, must have their previous marriage(s) examined by the Tribunal before being baptized or received into the Church.
Myth #9 ”A divorced person is excommunicated and cannot receive Communion without an annulment”
TRUTH: Divorced Catholics may receive Communion. Catholics who are divorced and remarried civilly without an annulment cannot receive Communion. In neither case are they excommunicated.
Myth #10 “If my spouse does not want to participate, an annulment is impossible to get.”
TRUTH: The former spouse has a right to participate in the case. However if she/he does not participate in a formal case it still moves forward. Some types of cases do not require participation of a former spouse. The Tribunal determines the best possible way to proceed depending on the situation.
For more information or direction for a possible annulment contact the Tribunal by phone at (916) 733-0225, or email at [email protected]