Re: Major Test for Catholic Bishops in the USA

When I blogged ten days ago, I understood that John Kerry's marriage to Julia Thorne had never been declared null and void. Since then, I have discovered that the status of their union is hotly disputed in the public domain. I apologize for having been hasty in that regard.

As to an annulment being a confidential matter — well, I think that's just plain silly. (The grounds for petitioning for a declaration of nullity, and the determination of their veracity, is another question.) Getting married is a public act, with public consequences, and the validity of a marriage is not a matter for the internal forum. Whether a couple that publicly claims to be married is actually married is everybody's business. That's why we issue marriage licenses, and announce banns, and publish notice of civil divorce decrees.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Tue. 04/13/04 05:29:29 PM
Categorized as Religious.