The annulment process within the Catholic Church addresses situations where a marriage is believed to be invalid from its inception. This process differs substantially from civil dissolution, as it examines whether the essential elements required for a sacramental marriage were present at the time the vows were exchanged. If a marriage is found to be invalid, the Church declares that a valid marriage never existed. An example would be a case where one party entered the marriage with a pre-existing condition, such as an inability to consent freely or a hidden intention not to have children, which would have prevented a true sacramental union.
Understanding the distinction between civil divorce and annulment is essential. Civil divorce dissolves a legally recognized marriage, allowing individuals to remarry in the eyes of the state. However, in the Catholic Church, a marriage is considered a lifelong commitment and a sacrament. An annulment, therefore, is not simply the termination of a marriage but rather a declaration by the Church that, despite appearances, a valid marriage never came into being according to Church law. This determination can have significant implications for individuals seeking to remarry within the Church.