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:
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If one of the spouses married while still bound by another marriage whose bond had not been dissolved.
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If there is a degree of kinship between the spouses that prohibits marriage.
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If the marriage took place under coercion, without consent and approval.
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If one of the spouses is insane (does not know what is happening).
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If the husband is not complete in manhood (a eunuch, impotent, or hermaphrodite).
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If the marriage was documented despite the non-performance of the religious rites specific to it.
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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.
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