Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lexington, South Carolina

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    • Parish Letter June 4
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    • 2023 Annual Financial Report
    • Financial Report December 21 2022
    • Medical Emergency Guidelines
    • Parish App
  • HOME
  • New Here?
    • Get To Know Us
    • Registration Form >
      • New Parishioner
      • Update Parishioner's Information
    • Office Hours
    • Contact Us
  • WORSHIP
    • Mass | Confession Times
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Prayer Intentions
    • Divine Mercy Chaplet
    • Offering A Mass
    • Wednesday Special Intention
  • SACRAMENTS
    • Baptism
    • Holy Eucharist
    • Reconciliation
    • Confirmation
    • Sponsor Letter
    • Sacramental Certificate
    • Matrimony
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Holy Orders
    • Funeral Planning
    • Exorcism
  • FAITH FORMATION
    • Vacation Bible School 2025
    • Religious Education
    • RCIA
    • Middle and High School Ministry
    • Bible Study
    • Families With Christ
    • Formation for Everyone
    • Youth Altar Server Program
  • MINISTRIES
    • Assistance Ministry
    • Ministry Scheduler
    • Bereavement
    • CGA
    • Christ Renews His Parish
    • Connect
    • Elder Care
    • Knights of Columbus
    • Legion of Mary
    • Men of Corpus Christi
    • Regnum Christi
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Volunteer Team
    • Corpus Christi Catholic Women's Group
  • FORMS & REQUESTS
    • New Parishioner
    • Update Contact Info
    • Event Request
    • Announcement Request
    • Mass Intention
    • Wednesday Special Intention
    • Golf Outing 2025
    • Bereavement Registration
    • Prayer Intention
    • Online Offertory
    • Subscribe
    • Bulletins
    • Annulment Process
  • NEWS & EVENTS
    • Blowfish Baseball
    • Financial Report March 2025
    • Priest Assignment to Corpus Christi
    • Pope Francis
    • Lenten Menu 2025
    • Bishop's Pastoral Statement on Immigration Procedures
    • Financial Report December 2024
    • High School Youth Conference
    • Pastoral Assignment Update January 10 2025
    • Financial Report September 30 2024
    • November Newsletter 2024
    • Parish Letter October 4 2024
    • October Newsletter 2024
    • Safe Environment Program
    • September Newsletter 2024
    • AUGUST NEWSLETTER 2024
    • Parish Letter July 11 2024
    • Parish Letter June 4
    • July Newsletter 2024
    • 2024 Fall Craft Show
    • 2023 Annual Financial Report
    • Financial Report December 21 2022
    • Medical Emergency Guidelines
    • Parish App

Annulment Process​

An annulment is a declaration by a Church tribunal, a Catholic church court, that a marriage thought to be valid according to Church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union.

The annulment process is frequently misunderstood.

Below please find FAQs that explain who needs an annulment, the process, and its effects. If you decide to start the process, we can provide the information and forms that you need to get started. All you have to do is contact the Parish Office directly by submitting your information below. Please remember that your contact information will be kept strictly confidential by the Parish Office.
start
​the process

​​What is an annulment?
"Annulment" is an unfortunate word that is sometimes used to refer to a Catholic "declaration of nullity." Actually, nothing is made null through the process. Rather, a Church tribunal, a Catholic Church court, declares that a marriage thought to be valid according to Church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union. For a Catholic marriage to be valid, it is required that (i) the spouses are free to marry, (ii) they are capable of giving their consent to marry, (iii) they freely exchange their consent, (iv) in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to children, (v) they intend the good of each other; and (vi) their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorized Church minister. Exceptions to the last requirement must be approved by Church authority.

Who assists the Bishop of Charleston to conduct all judicial processes under the law of the Church?
​The Diocesan Tribunal assists the Bishop of Charleston as he fulfills his judicial ministry to the People of God, in accord with the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church. In service to the People of God, the Bishop of Charleston authorizes the Tribunal to hear the cases of all individuals seeking to clarify their marital status, as the Church understand the bond of marriage, who are subject to the Bishop’s jurisdiction. The Tribunal is open to all who have canonical grounds and can provide the Tribunal with the requisite proofs. In fulfilling its mandate, the Tribunal seeks to protect the canonical rights of the Faithful, including the right to privacy, while upholding the Christian obligations of the members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Why does the Church require a divorced Catholic to obtain a declaration of nullity before marrying in the Church?
In fidelity to Jesus' teaching, the Church believes that marriage is a lifelong bond (please see Matthew 19:1-10). Therefore, unless one's spouse has died, the Church requires the divorced Catholic to obtain a declaration of nullity before marrying someone else. The tribunal process seeks to determine if something essential was missing at the moment of consent, that is, the time of the wedding. If so, the Church can declare that a valid marriage was never actually brought about on the wedding day.

What does the tribunal process involve?
Several steps are involved. The person who is asking for the declaration of nullity, the petitioner, submits written testimony about the marriage and a list of persons who are familiar with the marriage. These people must be willing to answer questions about the spouses and the marriage. If the other spouse did not co-sign the petition, the tribunal will contact that spouse, the respondent, who has a right to be involved. In some cases the respondent does not wish to become involved; the case can still move forward.  Based upon the information that was submitted, a tribunal official will determine the process that is to be followed. Regardless of the selected process, both the petitioner and the respondent will be able to read the testimony submitted, except that protected by civil law (i.e. counseling records). Each party may also appoint a Church advocate to represent him or her before the tribunal. A representative for the Church, called the defender of the bond, will argue for the validity of the marriage. If the tribunal decides in favor of the nullity of the marriage, the parties are then free to marry in the Catholic Church, unless an appeal of the decision is lodged or the decision includes a prohibition against one or both of the parties marrying until certain underlying issues have been resolved (please see Code of Canon Law, 1682.1).

How long does the process take?
The length will depend upon the type of process that is followed - the ordinary judicial process, the process before the bishop, a documentary process, or a process before a Roman court. Your diocesan tribunal will be able to give you a more exact estimate based upon your case.

How can a couple married for many years present a case?
The tribunal process examines the events leading up to, and at the time of, the wedding ceremony, in an effort to determine whether what was required for a valid marriage was ever brought about. The length of common life is not proof of validity but a long marriage does provide evidence that a couple had some capacity for a life-long commitment. It does not prove or disprove the existence of a valid marriage bond.

If a marriage is declared null, does it mean that the marriage never existed?
No. It means that a marriage that was thought to be valid civilly and canonically was in fact not valid according to Church law. A declaration of nullity does not deny that a relationship existed. It simply states that the relationship was missing something that the Church requires for a valid marriage.

If a declaration of nullity is granted, are the children considered illegitimate?
No. A declaration of nullity has no effect on the legitimacy of children who were born of the union following the wedding day, since the child's mother and father were presumed to be married at the time that the child was born. Parental obligations remain after a marriage may be declared null.

I do not plan to re-marry. Why should I present a marriage case?
Some people find that simply writing out their testimony helps them to understand what went wrong and why. They gain insights into themselves. Others say that the process allowed them to tell their whole story for the first time to someone who was willing to listen. A person cannot know today if they might want to marry in the future when crucial witnesses may be deceased or their own memories may have dimmed.

Why does the Catholic Church require an intended spouse, who is divorced but not Catholic, to obtain a declaration of nullity before marrying in the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church respects the marriages of non-Catholics and presumes that they are valid. Thus, for example, it considers the marriages of two Protestant, Jewish, or even nonbelieving persons to be binding for life. Marriages between baptized persons, moreover, are considered to be sacramental. The Church requires a declaration of nullity in order to establish that an essential element was missing in that previous union that prevented it from being a valid marriage, and thus the intended spouse is free to marry. This is often a difficult and emotional issue. If the intended spouse comes from a faith tradition that accepts divorce and remarriage, it may be hard to understand why he/she must go through the Catholic tribunal process. Couples in this situation may find it helpful to talk with a priest or deacon. To go through the process can be a sign of great love of the non-Catholic for the intended spouse.

My fiancé/e and I want to marry in the Catholic Church. He/she has been married before and has applied for a declaration of nullity. When can we set a date for our wedding?
You should not set a date until the tribunal's decision has been finalized. First, the petition may not be granted. Second, even if the petition is eventually granted, there may be unexpected delays in the process - for example, if your fiancé/e's spouse wishes to appeal the tribunal's decision.
start
the ​process

Forms

Lack of
​Form Petition
Preliminary
​Questionnaire
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
2350 Augusta Hwy   |   Lexington SC 29072
Tel 803.359.4391  |  Fax 803.359.8885
[email protected]


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