Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Winnipeg
Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church
The Inter-Eparchial Tribunal of the Winnipeg Metropolia is an ecclesiastical justice body that assists individuals who wish to file a petition for the declaration of nullity of a marriage based on valid reasons. The annulment procedure is a judicial process that verifies the validity of the marriage and the grounds in accordance with the norms of canon law. The tribunal examines each case individually and impartially, respecting the dignity and rights of all parties.
A declaration of nullity of a marriage does not affect the legitimacy of children born from that union, nor does it imply moral guilt on the part of the spouses. An annulment declares that the marriage was invalid from the beginning due to some obstacle or defect that prevented a true and lasting bond of love and fidelity. Annulment is necessary when spouses who have separated wish to remarry in the Catholic Church. Sometimes, applications for annulment are filed for personal or spiritual reasons.
The Tribunal is available to assist anyone who wishes to initiate or participate in the annulment process, providing pastoral guidance and care throughout the process.
For more information and to obtain an application form, please contact your local parish priest or Bishop Andriy Rabiy at 204.338.7801 x 4 or email chancellor@archeparchy.ca.
An annulment (also known as a “declaration of nullity”) is a court order declaring that the original marriage was invalid. It is not a dissolution of the marriage, but rather a declaration that the marriage was never valid in the first place.
A declaration of nullity does not affect the legal or ecclesiastical status of any children born of the union.
The Tribunal can declare a marriage invalid on various grounds. For example, this can happen if one of the parties entered into the marriage under duress or fear—thus not giving free consent; or if the person did not know or did not consent to what they supposedly agreed to (e.g., to a permanent union “for better or for worse,” no matter what).
An annulment is not a divorce. Divorce is the dissolution of a civil union carried out by a secular state, claiming that there was originally a valid marriage, but that it is now dissolved. Instead, the Church considers holy matrimony to be the eternal union of husband and wife in God.
No, annulment does not occur automatically in every divorce case. There are cases where the Tribunal cannot establish that the marriage was entered into invalidly.
Annulment of marriage is very different from divorce. The government grants a divorce almost automatically upon application, provided that basic conditions, such as one year of separation, are met. An annulment, on the other hand, is not granted automatically when a couple divorces. An annulment does not dissolve a previous marriage; it is a decision by an Ecclesiastical Court (Tribunal) that the original marriage was not valid from the start. If the court cannot find evidence that the marriage was invalid, it will not be able to grant an annulment.
First, if this process concerns you, we sincerely sympathize and hope to provide the necessary assistance. May God grant you strength and grace during this difficult time.
Here are the main steps you need to take to file for an annulment:
– Wait until the divorce is officially finalized. The court will require a copy of the divorce certificate.
– If there was violence during the divorce process, it is recommended to seek help or counseling to prepare for the annulment process. This can help you cope better with the situation, as the process itself can be emotionally difficult and stressful.
– Discuss your difficulties with your spiritual guide, the parish priest.
– If you feel more comfortable communicating with another priest, do not hesitate to contact them.
– This is a spiritual process, and participating in prayer groups or retreats can be helpful to maintain your faith that the Lord is always with you.
– If you have a fiancé or fiancée, invite them to join you as a source of support.
– When you are ready to begin the annulment process, contact your local pastor or Bishop Andriy Rabiy at the Chancery at 204.338.7801 x 4 or by email at chancellor@archeparchy.ca.
– He will explain the details of the process and provide you with the necessary application form.
– Review the application form, gather all the necessary documents, and write a detailed description of your marriage, answering all the questions on the form.
– Once you have gathered all the documents and completed the application form, submit it to Bishop Andriy for review and submission to the Tribunal.
– Either party may file a petition for annulment.
– The person making the application is called the claimant, and the other party is called the respondent.
– A former spouse is not required to participate in the proceedings unless they wish to do so.
– Provide the names of two witnesses who are willing to give evidence if the Tribunal requires it.
This process can be complex, but we are here to support you every step of the way.
In the Catholic Church, marriage is not only a personal commitment but also a sacrament and a public expression of faith. Therefore, the Church has specific guidelines for marriages involving Catholics. If a Catholic marries outside the Church without proper permission, the Church does not recognize the union as sacramentally valid. This can affect the couple’s participation in other sacraments and their standing in the Church. For example, Catholics in such a union cannot receive the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion.
However, the Church acknowledges the complexity of human relationships and offers a way for those who wish to rectify the situation and live a deeper spiritual life. Couples can contact their local parish priest and request the Sacrament of Matrimony (marriage) in the Church. This process involves careful preparation and a clear understanding of the obligation to continue to profess the Catholic faith and to raise children in that faith. This path respects the individual’s circumstances while adhering to the Church’s teaching on the Sacrament of Marriage.
The Catholic Church recognizes that divorce and remarriage are complex and can have profound emotional, spiritual, and relational consequences for individuals and families. In the context of pastoral care for the divorced and remarried, the Church emphasizes compassion, understanding, and a commitment to support those experiencing these difficult circumstances. The Church encourages divorced and remarried Catholics to seek support and counsel from their local parish community, where they can receive counseling, spiritual strength, and assistance in overcoming difficulties.
While the Church firmly teaches the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment, it also recognizes that not all marriages are viable or healthy relationships. Therefore, divorced Catholics should be welcomed into the Church and encouraged to participate fully in parish life.
The sanctity of marriage is a cornerstone of the Catholic faith, reflecting the union between Christ and the Church. The Church teaches that marriage is a lifelong covenant that cannot be broken by human authority. Therefore, if a marriage is recognized as valid and sacramental, the Church does not recognize civil divorce as the end of this spiritual bond. In cases where individuals seek to remarry after a civil divorce, the Church requires an annulment process to determine whether the first marriage was sacramentally valid.
An annulment of a marriage is not a Catholic divorce, but rather a declaration that the marriage was not valid according to Church law from the beginning. After an annulment, the individuals are considered free to marry in the Church because their previous union was not sacramental. Without an annulment, the Church views remarriage as adultery, and individuals in such unions are usually not allowed to receive the Eucharist, and Confession will be incomplete. This position is rooted in Scripture and Church teaching, emphasizing the permanence of the marital union and the importance of fidelity to vows.