Personal Status

Annulment of Marriage, and Divorce

Annulment of Marriage, and Divorce

Question:
What does annulment of marriage mean? What is the difference between it and divorce? And what are the reasons for annulment of marriage in our Church?

Answer:
Annulment of marriage means non-recognition of this marriage, as though it did not exist and did not occur at all.
This is the difference between it and divorce, because divorce is the dissolution of a marital bond that has in fact been established. Such a divorce takes place only because of adultery, and separation may occur because of a change of religion.

As for the reasons for annulment of marriage, they are:

1. If one of the spouses married while still bound by another marriage whose bond had not been dissolved.

2. If there is a degree of kinship between the spouses that prohibits marriage.

3. If the marriage took place under coercion, without consent and approval.

4. If one of the spouses is insane (does not know what is happening).

5. If the husband is not complete in manhood (a eunuch, impotent, or hermaphrodite).

6. If the marriage was documented despite the non-performance of the religious rites specific to it.

7. If the marriage is based on fraud and deception.

An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, published in Al-Keraza Magazine – Seventh Year – Fourth Issue – dated 23 January 1976.

For better translation support, please contact the center.