[pbear8]

If I recall my Catholicism correctly, back in the day, children of an anulled marriage were not allowed to participate in the Church...as they were seen as illegitimate. I am sure this has all been changed.

Whoa, Karl, pull out your Code of Canon Law! The children of annulled marriages are seen as innocent victims of their parents and are considered legitimate. What the Church annuls is the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony not the civil marriage. In other words, the sacrament is declared invalid by those who first administered it.

[GraceCoolidge]

I believe, however, that what BurbankKarl describes was the practice at one time. When we attended a class prior to the christening of our first child, one issue the pastor addressed was whether the parents were married in the church. He noted that "at one time," if the parents weren't married in the church, the child would not be christened. Of course that is no longer the case, but I've been surprised by how many people have posted questions/comments as to whether annulment makes children of a marriage illegitimate (the church clearly states that it does not).

[ladyjane]

The children of annulled marriages are seen as innocent victims

Perhaps there is some confusion with the dispensation required for a boy who was illegitimate who wants to become a priest. Many centuries ago it was fairly common for priests to have children - although they weren't married. The church became concerned that the church assets would be passed on to these children and a number of laws/rules were instituted to protect those assets.