Pastoral Services
Matrimony
Annulments
There are various kinds of annulments, from a simple "Lack of Form" case to a "Formal Trial". Call any priest or deacon for information or an appointment.
Lack of Form means that a Catholic person did not marry in an approved manner, namely before a priest or deacon. We commonly call that being married "out of the Church". A Formal Trial means that the marriage was recognized. The question here is whether one or the other did not enter the marriage with the proper intentions or maturity.
The Church recognizes the marriages of non-Catholics. When two people marry, neither of whom are Catholic, the Church recognizes the marriage as long as both were free to marry, whether they married in a religious or civil ceremony.
One who is not Catholic may petition for an annulment without any obligation to become Catholic. The fact that he/she wants to marry a Catholic person is reason enough.
Lack of Form cases are usually easy to obtain. They just require a few documents. Formal trials are quite different and may take as long as two years. Formal cases are not always successfully completed. The request in a formal trial case is for a finding of nullity. It is one thing to have a case, it is another to prove it. Yet most formal cases are granted.
If anyone reading this needs information about his/her own situation you are welcome to e-mail us or call for an appointment with one of the priests.
Hurting Marriages
Retrouvaille Weekends for Hurting Marriages: a live-in weekend and post-weekend program for married couples who:
- feel anxious about their relationship
- feel alone or distant from their spouse
- feel disillusioned or bored in their marriage
- don't have the time or desire to communicate
- are experiencing coldness or conflict
- are frustrated, hurt or angry with their spouse
Call (562) 868-3122 for information and/or registration.