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Memo,

Those are very good points.

Joe

Wondering I was not saying that there are not some people who should not divorice an abusive spouse. But in most situations tell me if there really is a person who 100% has not contributed at least a fraction to the divorice?
We can feel sympathy for them and support them in the healing of their lives.
Stephanos I
An annulment is not a divorice. It is simply a statement by the Church that there was no valid marrige and so if the person is ready and mature enough and has dealt with the issues that caused seperation then they are free to enter into marriage.

Dear Friends,

Actually, it matters not which Rite/Church one belongs to - the issue of giving scandal by ordaining someone who has been divorced in the civil courts and has had his marriage annulled is something that can be a real headache for the bishop.

I've seen one case (actually someone in my extended family) who had his marriage annulled and was remarried by Roman decree etc. and who later got ordained.

This is what happened:

1) letters from people - including family and friends of the first woman/wife - to Rome complaining about him, saying it would be a scandal if he were ordained, they would consider leaving the Church if he were etc.

2) Lots of gossip from priests here, some actually called me directly to "let me in" on a few "facts" concerning his annulment, with nice comments like "his daddy paid big bucks to procure that so-called 'annulment' and similar kindly remarks . . .

3) More of the same even after his ordination - at which time the Bishop decided to post him in a far corner of the Eparchy etc.

4) When he died, an untoward comment about his life DURING HIS FUNERAL!

That's what can be involved and it is not a good thing at all.

Alex

Dear Joe and Dr Eric,

And we have news here about (2) Latin Catholics becoming married Protestant ministers then asking to return to the Latin Church to be received as married Latin priests . . .

Whatever it takes . . .

Alex

Alex,

I can't imagine that going over very well with Rome. Of course, I suppose that someone could sincerely leave the Catholic Church, go into ministry, and then sincerely recant and go back. But, I would suspect that Church authorities would be hesitant to ordain such a person to be a priest, since it could be seen as encouraging Catholic men to get married, leave the church, become protestant ministers and then return later.

joe

Grounds for the annulment are relevant here. Specifically, annulment based on defect of form would indicate that the marriage laws of the Church had been violated. This is generally an impediment to ordination according to canon law both east and west.

Dear Joe,

Actually . . .

"Invincible ignorance" seems to cover a multitude of sins. And I do know of two cases of Catholic men doing this.

We have former Catholic priests who have left to get married and who have become ministers in Protestant congregations - our United Church actually proclaimed a policy on this (that such a one need only attend a parish regularly for one year before being admitted to its public ministry etc.).

I must correct one thing I said above - the two did not become "protestant" ministers, but joined what appear to be Old Catholic groups.

Used to not know the difference between these groups and canonical jurisdictions - I do now and stay away from the former.

Once had lunch with one of their "metropolitans" who asked my advice on naming a particular group within his jurisdiction that were of the "Anglican Rite."

So he got that advice and the name continues to this day . . .

Isn't that a real achievement?

Alex

CRW,

Well, what I'm suggesting is that there are two sides to the story of annulment - what actually happened and what people gossip about what happened.

And that gossip can be deadly, affecting a person's life as a priest etc.

Our parishioners (and priests) can be deadly cruel.

Alex

Hi,


Exactly, and that is why Catholic ordination for former Protestant clergymen is not automatic.

If a bishop were to allow this (and I am not saying I can't see it happening), then he would be endorsing this "Whatever it takes" position which, IMHO, goes against the nature of what ordained ministry is in the life of the Church.

In other words, I would find it very strange that God was actually calling you to break communion with your Church, so you can get ordained by another denomination, only to return to your original Church as a clergyman.

In my experience, Grace doesn't work that way.

Shalom,
Memo