Dear Catholic Exchange:
If you were married in the Church for one year and had it annulled are you allowed to become a deacon?
Mr. Tyler
Dear Mr. Tyler,
Peace in Christ!
Having a marriage annulled could prevent a person from being ordained to the diaconate, depending on whether vows were broken when the marriage was attempted.
“[A] person who has attempted marriage, even only civilly, while either impeded personally from entering marriage by a matrimonial bond, sacred orders, or a public perpetual vow of chastity, or with a woman bound by a valid marriage or restricted by the same type of vow” (canon 1041§3).
The idea here is that someone who has directly acted against vows will not be fit to make vows for sacred orders. Ultimately the person appointed by the bishop to screen candidates will make the assessment. It is possible to receive from the Pope a dispensation from this irregularity.
United in the Faith,
Eric Stoutz
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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