The key to understanding annulment and divorce is marriage itself. The Catechism states, “The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament.” (para. 1601)
Marriage requires consent and understanding of the nature of Matrimony. If consent or understanding of the nature of marriage is not present WHEN the vows are given, there is no sacramental marriage. Annulment is a declaration that what was considered to be a sacramental marriage is not. Thus, an annulment allows the couple to sacramentally marry another.
But divorce has nothing to do with the sacrament of Matrimony. Divorce is a legal, civil declaration that the marriage is dissolved. What was once a legal marriage is no longer a partnership. A legal marriage requires an agreement to be together. If the couple no longer want to be together, the state says, okay, you no longer have to.
But Jesus said, “What God has joined together, no human must separate.” (Mt. 19:6) So the difference is that divorce separates what God has joined together, while annulment acknowledges that there was never a sacramental union in the first place. Read more about the sacrament of Matrimony in the Catechism, paragraphs 1601-1666.
Know your faith. Live your faith. Teach your faith.
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