Don’t Marry While Waiting for an Annulment

While divorce for any reason is a serious matter and the breakup of a family is a grave tragedy, the Church does provide for the possibility of a civil divorce, even for longstanding marriages. The Code of Canon Law states:

If either of the spouses causes grave mental or physical danger to the other spouse or to the offspring or otherwise renders common life too difficult, that spouse gives the other a legitimate cause for leaving, either by decree of the local ordinary or even on his or her own authority if there is danger in delay (can. 1153).

Remarriage after a civil divorce is another matter. The Church requires that a declaration of nullity be granted, thus ensuring the freedom of the parties to marry, before either party attempts a new marriage. This means that a divorced Catholic may not remarry in a civil ceremony in anticipation of an annulment—which may not be granted.