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Author Topic: Annulments and Chastity  (Read 784 times)

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Änσnymσus

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Annulments and Chastity
« on: January 12, 2013, 01:49:55 PM »
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  • A comment on the contraception post has me wondering about something.

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    It's not unreasonable to want a spouse who has been chaste, if that means formerly married and faithful/no contraception or unmarried and a virgin

     

    I suppose the poster might only be referring to widows/widowers, but maybe not.


    So my question is, if a Catholic is married and divorces, the only way they can remarry is if the marriage is annulled.  If a marriage is annulled that means the union was never valid. If the union was never valid, then was the couple living in sin?  Can you really say you were chaste if the marriage was never really a marriage?


    Online Nadir

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    Annulments and Chastity
    « Reply #1 on: January 12, 2013, 06:29:40 PM »
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  • That's a hairy one! If this affects you personally you should ask a traditional priest this question.

    If it is a hypothetical question asked merely from curiosity, I imagine that intention must play a big part in whether or not there is the sin of unchastity. Was the marriage entered into in good faith by both parties? Is there an injured and injuring party?

    I am no theologian, just thinking out loud. Best talk to a trustworthy priest.
    Help of Christians, guard our land from assault or inward stain,
    Let it be what God has planned, His new Eden where You reign.


    Änσnymσus

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    Annulments and Chastity
    « Reply #2 on: January 12, 2013, 06:36:34 PM »
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  • Quote
    If the union was never valid, then was the couple living in sin?  Can you really say you were chaste if the marriage was never really a marriage?


    There can't be culpability for what two people believe is lawful marriage.

    Suppose a man accidentally marries a close relation because of separation at birth, and then later the relationship is uncovered?

    Incest still causes harm, but those who committed it were unaware of the harm they were causing.

    How could they be to blame for it?

    Most annulments today are surely invalid.  There's no reason that a man (or a woman) can't prefer someone who was never married, whether their past behavior was honorable or not.  People select mates with those traits they find attractive.


    Offline Alex117

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    Annulments and Chastity
    « Reply #3 on: January 12, 2013, 06:46:43 PM »
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  • Quote from: Guest
    If a marriage is annulled that means the union was never valid. If the union was never valid, then was the couple living in sin?  Can you really say you were chaste if the marriage was never really a marriage?

    I researched this question when I was studying about the priesthood. I read somewhere that bastard children weren't eligible to be priests, and so I had to ask myself, "Am I bastard?" as my parents had divorced and had their "marriage" annulled.

    The answer I found was that children that were produced during a "marriage" that was later annulled are legitimate children, as the "marriage" was believed by the Church to be legitimate at the time. It was only after questioning the legitimacy of the marriage and study on behalf of the commission responsible that it was later determined that the "marriage" wasn't truly a marriage.

    So, to answer your question, no, those who have their "marriage" annulled were not living in sin, as it was believed by the Church and the couple that their marriage was valid.

    Änσnymσus

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    Annulments and Chastity
    « Reply #4 on: January 12, 2013, 06:47:44 PM »
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  • correction: can't prefer someone who was never married, honorable conduct in the past is all fine and good, however, it can't change the fact that the impression of the previous relationship remains on the person.  

    A widow who enters religious life might be a very great saint, but she will not be offering the same sacrifice as a consecrated virgin.  

    An innocent woman who has married does not offer the same thing as an innocent woman who has never married.