Annulments & the Catholic Church: Straight Answers to Tough Questions

Marriage Annulment in the Catholic Church affects a great number of Catholics on a very personal and painful way. It is not just the parties themselves who are affected, but their families, their friends, their fellow parishioners. This author, as both a canon lawyer and a civil lawyer, is uniquely qualified to deal with an explanation of the process. He outlines and explains. He hypothesizes and analyzes. The hypotheticals are the best part of this book. There does not seem to be a situation Dr. Peters does not touch on. This is an important book to have if you are considering entering into this annulment process either as a Petitioner, Respondent or Witness. The Glossary is very useful in going through the book, so have your finger tucked into it while you are going through the questions. Read all of the questions and answers before you enter into the process. Taken as a whole, they give you a feel for the legal system involved. Read the Introduction first. It sets a good stage for the rest of the book. I differ with Dr. Peters in one point that is an important one. He asserts that there is no blame attributed in an annulment process. In a perfect Catholic world that would be the case. But there are grounds for the annulment and they came from somewhere. It is true that the Church would prefer not to have this be a contentious process like a divorce. But in the end, it can be. Here however, it is an equal opportunity fault finder and both parties can be held to some accountability. As an Appendix, Dr. Peters has an essay on Annulments in America. It is clear that it is his opinion based on his vast experience. It is well-written and completely separate from his Q and A segment. It is interesting and should be taken for what it is. Considering Dr. Peters qualifications and experience, it is a valuable addition to this book.

After the wife of my youth left me I purchased this book to better understand the process I would be going through. I was so impressed with it that I bought additional copies for my witnesses and even the wife of my youth so that they would understand it as well. Ed Peters has managed to distill into simple questions and answers all the important information on this oft-misunderstood process.In addition to explaining the basic process this book also dispels most common misunderstandings regarding annulments. Annulments are NOT "Catholic divorce" as many mistakenly claim. This book will help you understand and correct such errors and explain why there is a fundamental and essential difference between divorce and the investigation into the validity of a marriage that the Catholic Church performs. Divorce is a grave matter and the acceptance of it by the ecclesial communities of our separated brethren in clear contradiction to our Lord's express commands is a great scandal. This book will better equip you to explain the truth.This book will also help to assuage concerns over alleged "abuses" of the process, especially here in the USA. After reading this book I no longer wonder if there might be something wrong in the process because of the high number of marriages found to be invalid here in America; instead I now wonder what is wrong with our culture that produces so many invalid marriages.Again, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Buy it.

A really wonderful explanation of the annulment process in the Church. Essential for any who must go through this, that they may properly understand.

Very helpful book! It was great to help me in writing an annulment as well as understanding the process of the Catholic Church.

If you need to know, this will answer your questions.

This is a great guide for all with questions or concerns about annulment. Very down to earth and easy to read!

The book covered all the important aspects of annulments. I just wish that more coverage was given to the reasons, or "grounds," that are accepted for granting an annulment. The book did have a section about this....I just thought it would be a little more extensive on this part.

I am late to Cstholicism and have no intention on remarrying. I sought an annulment just to get my past better organized. My local parish advocate was not very helpful and I got this book to self guide the process. Comprehensive guide to the process.

Not easy to search through, you have to read every story and then realize it doesn't apply to your situation.