[Forest Keeper]

Every Catholic knows people who are excommunicated because of a second marriage, not being able to annul the first, people who go through years of supplying evidence and giving testimony and leading a chaste life so that they can marry after divorce. Divorce is a tragedy, and the Church sees it as tragedy, precisely because marriage is sacred. Disagree with the annulment system all you want, but cheap out it is not.

You're right, I went overboard there. I apologize to you, Joe, and to you, Alex, and to all Catholics. I should not have said what I said. The whole issue just stirs emotions in me based on an anecdote, the details of which I am not at liberty to share. But that is no excuse, I was wrong.

[annalex]

I thought so, and on my end I will readily believe that there are anecdotes about annulment that scandalize the Church. It is not a perfect world.

[jo kus]

You're right, I went overboard there. I apologize to you, Joe, and to you, Alex, and to all Catholics. I should not have said what I said. The whole issue just stirs emotions in me based on an anecdote, the details of which I am not at liberty to share. But that is no excuse, I was wrong.

Apology accepted. We realize that the Church holds out an ideal that most people seem not to be able to live up to. But we have to really think - who is master, God's ways, or our ways. Culture speaks loud and clear and we are influenced by it - but Christ is counter-cultural. I see annulment as a pastoral reality, as most people DO NOT live up to Christ's standards - but on the other hand, are we to close the doors to everyone? Annulments bring closure to people that is greatly needed in our society.

Regards