At last Sunday’s 11am Mass my sermon touched on an issue that affects many in our community and in the world out there. Most of us know someone who is divorced or separated. It’s a tough and often heart-breaking situation that a family and extended family finds themselves dealing with.
We are here to help!
Catholics who are separated or divorced are still members of Church in good standing.
Through the years, there has been widespread confusion and misinformation on this issue, and many families have suffered unnecessary distress as a result.
My dear Parish Family, it’s important to know that Catholics who are separated or divorced are still members of the Church in good standing, and may continue to receive Holy Communion along with other sacraments. We encourage you to continue to find comfort in our beautiful faith.
On the other hand, if you divorce and then remarry civilly without the benefit of a church annulment, you are STILL a member of the Church, but you may not receive the sacraments. Please continue to come through the doors of the Church, attend Mass and remain active in the life of the parish.
At some point, you may be ready to consider pursuing an annulment. We are here to help you go down this route. Our diocese has an excellent team and has a good track record of helping to support you on this healing journey.
ANNULMENTS – A BRIEF EXPLANATION
How is annulment different from divorce?
People often have mistaken ideas about annulments in the Catholic Church. They even think that annulments are really “Catholic divorces” but an annulment differs in many ways.
An annulment is a Church decision, declaring that what appeared to be a valid marriage actually was not valid.
There can be many reasons for this determination, and these circumstances are called the “grounds” for annulment, which are the basis for the process.
An annulment can only be issued if a civil divorce has been granted to a person first. There are no civil effects from annulment, such as there are from divorces.
The annulment process can be a beneficial, healing time for divorced Catholics. Some annulments can be quite quick within a year but many take 18 months or more.
If you want to meet us in private – we are happy to oblige.
NEXT WEEK
‘If you married Civilly and not in Church’ What is a Convalidation?
We are here to help!
Catholics who are separated or divorced are still members of Church in good standing.
Through the years, there has been widespread confusion and misinformation on this issue, and many families have suffered unnecessary distress as a result.
My dear Parish Family, it’s important to know that Catholics who are separated or divorced are still members of the Church in good standing, and may continue to receive Holy Communion along with other sacraments. We encourage you to continue to find comfort in our beautiful faith.
On the other hand, if you divorce and then remarry civilly without the benefit of a church annulment, you are STILL a member of the Church, but you may not receive the sacraments. Please continue to come through the doors of the Church, attend Mass and remain active in the life of the parish.
At some point, you may be ready to consider pursuing an annulment. We are here to help you go down this route. Our diocese has an excellent team and has a good track record of helping to support you on this healing journey.
ANNULMENTS – A BRIEF EXPLANATION
How is annulment different from divorce?
People often have mistaken ideas about annulments in the Catholic Church. They even think that annulments are really “Catholic divorces” but an annulment differs in many ways.
An annulment is a Church decision, declaring that what appeared to be a valid marriage actually was not valid.
There can be many reasons for this determination, and these circumstances are called the “grounds” for annulment, which are the basis for the process.
An annulment can only be issued if a civil divorce has been granted to a person first. There are no civil effects from annulment, such as there are from divorces.
The annulment process can be a beneficial, healing time for divorced Catholics. Some annulments can be quite quick within a year but many take 18 months or more.
If you want to meet us in private – we are happy to oblige.
NEXT WEEK
‘If you married Civilly and not in Church’ What is a Convalidation?
RSS Feed