Married couples or soon to be married couples that are members of the Catholic Church know that the Church does not approve of divorce. However, annulment is possible in certain cases; usually only if there is a very good –and provable- reason. There are too many reasons to list, but they run the range from rushing into marriage too soon and seeking an immediate annulment to estrangement or infidelity.
Annulment is a formal process, one that is dealt with in various ways. The most difficult or delicate situations are decided by a tribunal called the “Roman Rota.” It is not a given that a couples’ requests will be granted, as evidenced by the fact that within the last two years or so, the Roman Rota agreed with only about one quarter of the couples seeking annulment.
So, what kinds of reasons do you think would make it permissible to have a marriage annulled? Abuse is likely one of the main reasons. Another one people commonly cite is parents seeking annulment for children who have run away to another state to marry under less stringent age of consent laws. You might be surprised to learn that refusing to “cut the apron strings,” or being too attached or too dependent upon one’s parent(s) is also considered a permissible reason to seek annulment.
The justification given for allowing such annulments is that spouses who remain extremely dependent on their own parent(s) are considered to be “unfit for marriage.”
Isn’t that interesting? It makes a lot of sense, because it is nearly impossible to be in a truly committed relationship with another person if your focus lies elsewhere. There is nothing wrong with keeping a close relationship with one or both parents, but remaining dependent upon them puts them between yourself and your spouse.
Do you think this is a good reason for annulment?
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