We don’t always see eye to eye.
Marital difficulties
Marriage is not an easy vocation, and our parish is keen to reach out to couples who are having marital difficulties through CatholicCare Broken Bay. If you need immediate help see our Emergency Help.
From the Catholic perspective, married couples are called to a challenging vocation indeed, one which is different from marriage outside the Catholic Church. It involves not only two people, but a community of people. It carries with it great responsibilities. This why divorce is taken so seriously in the Catholic Church.
Having said that, the Catholic Church recognises that people do not always marry wisely, and at times enter into relationships which in hindsight never had the foundations of a valid sacrament of Marriage. In such cases couples can request an annulment. In the annulment process, the Church (via a marriage tribunal) examines the circumstances of the marriage and makes a judgment as to its validity or otherwise.
If a marriage is to be found to have been invalid, the marriage is annulled and the person is free to marry in the Catholic Church again. Where a Marriage is found to have been valid, remarriage is not permitted. This does not imply, however, a rejection of the person or an exclusion from taking part in the overall life of the Church. Annulments, divorce and remarriage are delicate subject, and care should be taken to seek expert advice for each specific case.
For further information about the annulment process, please speak to a priest or contact The Marriage Tribunal in Broken Bay Diocese: phone: 02 9847 0458.
Additional resources:
The Beginning Experience is a weekend program of healing and renewal for those who find themselves single again. It is a weekend for separated, divorced or widowed people who have worked through the initial phase of grief and are looking toward a new beginning. For more information please contact staff at The Beginning Experience; Lee (02) 9449 5317, Lynne (02) 4627 2084 or Kevin (02) 4981 0626
Seasons for Growth is a program for children, young people or adults who have experienced significant change or loss. It is based on the belief that change, loss and grief are a normal and valuable part of life. We examine the impact of changes such as death, separation, divorce, and natural disaster upon our lives, and explore how we can learn to live with and grow from these experiences. For further information see website Seasons for Growth
St Agatha's Catholic Parish,
Pennant Hills, NSW 2120
PO Box 127, Pennant Hills, NSW, 1715
20 Boundary Road, Pennant Hills NSW 2120, (Enter through Trebor Road – see Map)
Phone: 02 9484 1427