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To: Land of the Irish
Yours is an interesting point which I have never considered. If he had an annulment would he be eligible?
5 posted on 12/19/2002 4:05:20 PM PST by Scupoli
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To: Scupoli
If he had an annulment would he (a heterosexual) be eligible?

Thirty years ago my answer would have been an easy "yes". Back then annulments, were rare, due to their very definition: a valid marriage, as recognized by the Catholic Church, had never existed. Extraordinary circumstances had to be proved; e.g., the marriage was never consummated due to undisclosed homosexuality on the part of a "spouse", etc.

Nowadays, annulments are freely dished out, if you have enough money and know the right Bishop. When you hear about Catholic couples who have been married for 25 years and raising 7 kids, being granted annulments only so they can remarry others, you've got to wonder what is the Catholic Church's current definition of a "valid marriage".

Another example is the Archdiocese of Boston granting Joseph Kennedy an annulment against his wife's wishes. That wasn't enough for Joe, he remarried even before the annulment was granted.

8 posted on 12/19/2002 6:43:57 PM PST by Land of the Irish
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