Marriage Annulment

[flip_flop]

My first marriage ended on reasonably amicable terms about ten years ago and our divorce followed.

My first wife is a Catholic and now wants to get married again in the Catholic church but is forbidden in doing so because she has previously been married.

As a result I have received a letter from Southwark Catholic something or other advising me my former wife has applied to the church for a marriage annulment - which, if my understanding is correct, basically means the marriage never happened.

Now, when we were married, we were, by and large, very happy, but it just fizzled out - and as I look back on my marriage with fond memories as opposed to bitterness, I'm not entirely sure I want it to be expunged from history.

Ignoring the fact that I find it odd how the Catholic church and the religious can manipulate their beliefs to fit their particular circumstances (probably a subject for another thread), should I be cooperative, or should I refuse. My refusal doesn't mean it won't be annulled, it means I will be interviewed by a priest and his report will go to three 'judges' for a decision.

If I refuse to cooperate, and if the 'judges' refuse an annulment, am I leaving myself open to a civil action from my former wife?

I paid for all the divorce costs - for both of us as, at the time, she wasn't working as she was doing a degree.

There were no children.

[Ethel]

Be co-operative. If you are not a Catholic the annulment is totally meaningless to you anyway.

In law, the marriage would still have taken place - a Church annulment can never alter that.

If you are Catholic, that is a different matter and you should discuss it with your Priest.