Annulment, the Wedding That Was: How the Church Can Declare a Marriage Null [Paperback]

Michael S. Foster (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A canonist and judge of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston's Metropolitan Tribunal, Foster presents in 101 clear questions and answers a basic primer on canon law and the mechanics of the church's court system in determining nullity of marriage. The principle of marriage as a free and public act of will made by parties consenting to the sacrament underlies church law. The often mysterious act of annulment is here demystified: the book illuminates the judicial process, beginning with the right to marry and ending with answers to such misconceptions as annulments being merely Catholic divorces or the idea that annulment wipes out a marriage. A standard text on the subject is Lawrence G. Wrenn's Annulments (Canon Law Society of America, 1996. 6th ed.), while a negative view of the process in the United States can be found in Robert Vasoli's What God Has Joined Together (LJ 2/15/98). Foster's more positive and readable book is recommended for most collections serving Catholic audiences.?Anna M. Donnelly, St. John's Univ. Lib., Jamaica, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809138441
• ISBN-13: 978-0809138449
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Law > Legal History
  • #79 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Worship & Devotion > Rites & Ceremonies

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Customer Reviews

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57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is user-friendly, rich in concept and practicality, May 23, 1999

By 

Patricia M. Dugan "Patricia M. Dugan" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Annulment, the Wedding That Was: How the Church Can Declare a Marriage Null (Paperback)

This book is a user-friendly one. The question and answer format is used to its highest possiblity. It deals with all of those questions we never bothered to ask our high school religion nun or college theologian, and now wish we had. As both a civil and a canon lawyer dealing in divorce and annulments, I cannot think of one question not asked asked and answered here. The index makes it even easier to navigate the concepts explored. The result is a book that explains the concepts but also tells you how to deal practically with them in the context of the Church's laws and canons. This book takes the whole package of married life and puts it into Catholic perspective. This start to finish result, especially starting at the time of the marriage, is the crux of what so many do not understand about the Catholic Church and marriage. Foster's approach is totally successful just because of its simplicity. The book should be read by those thinking of marriage and not just those far down the road. It's assistance to both is what makes this book so important.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Helpful Guide For Those in the Annulment Process, November 1, 2003

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Annulment, the Wedding That Was: How the Church Can Declare a Marriage Null (Paperback)

Annulling a marriage is one of the thorniest practices of the Roman Catholic Church. People who are granted annulments are given a whole new lease on life, but for those who are denied an annulment, the news can be devastating. For Catholics, an annulment means that a sacramental marriage never took place. The most common reaction to this is "I went to the wedding, what do you mean a marriage never took place?" People begin to wonder if an annulment means that children from such unions are illegitimate (no). Others wonder what right the Church has to declare a marriage null, and see the process as judgmental and vindictive. Others believe that annulments are only granted to those willing to pay a hefty price tag. With so much negative press, it is no wonder why so many people find the annulment process intimidating and decide not to pursue having a marriage annulled.

Michael Smith Foster, a Catholic priest and canon lawyer who works at the Marriage Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Boston has written a clear, easy to understand book answering the many questions of what an annulment is, and what an annulment is not. The book is published by Paulist Press, and is set up in a question and answer format, like many book released by this publisher. In discussing the annulment process, the author also explains what a Catholic marriage is supposed to be. His style is pastoral and non-threatening. The book is compassionate and hopeful for people who have been hurt by a marriage coming apart.

While this book will be most helpful to people going through the annulment process and those who are ministering to them, it will be of interest to any Catholics who want to understand more about this procedure and what the Church truly teaches about marriage.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for dispelling the myth of the annulment process, July 18, 2008

By 

S. Makowski "devours books" (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Annulment, the Wedding That Was: How the Church Can Declare a Marriage Null (Paperback)

I have worked in the field of church law for over 20 years. I have met with over 1000 petitioners who really don't understand the annulment process. All they understand is that they would like to enter into a new marriage and they want to be able to "make it right with the church." And, on the other side is their ex-spouse who doesn't understand as well, what is going on when they receive their letter from the tribunal informing them of their ex-spouse's application. What I have begun to do is to send them a copy of this book, in advance of my meeting with them. When that happens, their defenses are down, they understand so much better what is happening and their questions are no longer harassing or attacking. They have such a clearer picture of the process and they are much more able to handle the situation because they have had it explained to them in language that they understand.

I would encourage any tribunal to have a number of these books on their shelves, so that when someone appears at their door who is beleaguered, and bewildered, just hand them the book, give them a chance to read it and your worries will be over- they now have a clearer picture of what the process is all about.