What is an annulment in the Catholic Church ?

An annulment in the Catholic Church is an affirmation by the Church that a legally divorced couple lacked some essential element in their marriage which kept it from being a life-giving and mutually supportive union. Who makes this decision and how is it arrived at? The marriage tribunal of a Catholic diocese generally makes this decision after a careful investigation of a particular couple’s marriage. This investigation is carried out through testimony provided by the parties involved and by witnesses whose names have been submitted by either spouse. The testimony is always kept in confidence. Why does the Catholic Church grant annulments since it teaches that marriage is for life? The Catholic Church does teach that all valid marriages are binding until the death of either spouse. However, not every marriage is automatically a valid one. A valid marriage is one which is life-giving and mutually supportive to both persons involved. Therefore, individuals have a right to question the ...  more