[Dan in Wichita]

There are many ignorant people posting on this thread. They act like they're really smart, but in reality, they're putting their ignorance on display for all to see.

Okay, here is how it works: When a Catholic couple gets married in the church, there are two things that happen: the couple is granted a civil marriage AND they also (ostensibly) receive the sacrament of marriage. Later on, if they decide to divorce, they are granted a CIVIL divorce, but the sacrament of marriage remains, UNLESS an annulment is granted. An annulment is granted if the tribunal determines conditions existed on the day of the wedding that nullified the bestowment of the sacrament of marriage (e.g. undisclosed alcoholism, the desire not to be open to children, etc.).

The annulment says the SACRAMENT of marriage did not happen. It does NOT negate the civil marriage. The civil marriage DID happen, therefore, any children of this union are NOT bastards.

Will this simple explanation make any difference to all you Catholic haters out there? I doubt it. You just relish in the delight of using the word "bastard" in your feeble attempt to denigrate Catholics. You really don't want to hear the truth, nor do you give a damn what the truth really is.

[babygene]

“Will this simple explanation make any difference to all you Catholic haters out there? I doubt it.”

It won’t make any difference to me, and I’m not a Catholic hater. I go to Mass every Sunday and have since I was a kid.

[piusv]

True that.

I was trying to distinguish between the two kinds of marriages (civil and sacramental).

[Salvation]

Thanks, Dan.