Annulment workshops in to inform, answer questions

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
April 24, 2008

Misconceptions and unanswered questions about the annulment process will be addressed at three information sessions in the Diocese of Sioux City this spring.

The first session was held March 31 in Carroll with close to 30 people in attendance. The next sessions will be held April 28 at Sacred Heart in Spencer and May 19 at St. Joseph in Sioux City, both at 6:30 p.m.

Father Michael Erpelding, assistant judicial vicar for the diocese and pastor at St. Joseph in Sioux City, will lead the sessions with the primary focus of answering questions about annulments.

"I will give a presentation on what an annulment is, the application process, the grounds for receiving an annulment and the pastoral implications of divorce, annulment and remarriage," said the priest.

At the March 31 session, one common topic Father Erpelding was asked about was particular circumstances and whether it would be beneficial to "submit a petition for the investigation of their former marriage."

"A lot of people wanted to talk through their emotions about going through a divorce," he said. "A lot of people wanted to know the implications of the status of their children. I almost always get the question - does this make my children illegitimate?"

The answer to that question, noted Father Erpelding, is that it does not mean the children are illegitimate because "this process looks at whether it was a sacramental marriage or not. We always know there was some sort of a bond."

"It is important to understand that the tribunal is a ministry to help with healing, help people understand their status in the church and to seek to free them to receive the sacraments," he said. "We seek to establish sacramental bonds that are valid, holy and loving. It is a healing ministry more than a court."

Father Erpelding hopes that the sessions dispel a lot of the "rumors and misinformation that are out in the public."

"It allows people to find a comfort level in applying for an annulment, if it is appropriate for them," said the priest.

Attendees receive information about who to contact to get the annulment process started.

The sessions were held last year and Father Erpelding mentioned the plan is to hold the sessions each year with one in Sioux City and in two other locations in the diocese.

The Office of the Tribunal and the Office of Adult and Family Ministries for the Diocese of Sioux City are sponsoring the sessions.

Anyone interested in learning more about annulments is invited to attend one of the sessions.

"I would encourage anyone who is divorced to attend to see if they think they might want to have their former marriage investigated," said the assistant judicial vicar.