And based on your extensive examination of every annulment case and complete understanding of the Catholic Religion you make this case.
Of course you ignore the fact that Marriage is viewed as a Sacrament in the Catholic Church and forms a covenant relationship, while the "Civil" aspect is for purposes of property rights.
You also of course realize that it is the intent of BOTH parties at the time of the marriage that determines the validity of the reception of the sacrament.
I mean seriously as such an expert on the Catholic Church you do understand all of these things. (I hope I don't have to put a /Sarc tag on this for RFEngineer)
“You also of course realize that it is the intent of BOTH parties at the time of the marriage that determines the validity of the reception of the sacrament.”
Of course, I realize this. So does everyone. What is disingenuous is when Catholics want a divorce and remain in the church - and lie - claiming after the fact - that they were not intent on receiving the sacrament.
“I mean seriously as such an expert on the Catholic Church you do understand all of these things. (I hope I don’t have to put a /Sarc tag on this for RFEngineer)”
Apparently too many Catholics don’t take their religion seriously enough and allow this abuse of Church annulments to happen all to frequently.
How is it that this Protestant can see that and such devout and serious Catholics such as those on this thread cannot?
I guess I have more reverence for the actual intent of marriage in the Catholic church than most Catholics on this thread. Unlike those complaining about me - I actually respect the Catholic view on this subject - and the Catholic church would be much better off if so many Catholics did not make excuses for the annulments of the Kennedy-Gingrich convenience variety. Catholics might even gain converts by upholding traditional Catholic values rather than trying to accommodate Western lifestyles that too often include serial sacramental ceremonies of marriage within the Catholic church.