I read the entire Bible. I never saw the word “annulment” in it once. Perhaps I have an obsolete version.
Dr. Peters presents a well thought out, juridical case. The unfortunate thing is that remarriage after divorce while the other spouse is still alive is removed from the category of sin and placed in a category that is unforgivable and becomes a “lets look to see if the first marriage was ever a real marriage”. The Catholic is now, for all intents and purposes (once remarried), excommunicated , for they can no longer receive any of the sacraments. Those who have a deep faith in God...or experience a conversion want to be made right with the Church.
Most Roman Catholics who find themselves in this situation get quickly discouraged at the prospect of applying and taking part in the annulment process. Most people are drained spiritually, mentally, and emotionally going through the civil divorce. It’s just as tough a situation working through an annulment. More than half of the Catholics I work with through questionings and petitions, give up out of sheer discouragement because the process is painful.
I guess my question to Dr. Peters would be why this situation was relegated to jurisprudence? I do know that there are millions of divorced and remarried men and women who need to be reconciled with the church for the sake of their salvation.