Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne: The Tribunal of the Catholic Church: What about the Children?


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Marriage Tribunal Introduction The Tribunal What is an Annulment? What about the Children? Are there any effects in Civil Law? The Process and Requirements Is it worthwhile? Who to contact?	What about the Children? Church law states that the children of an annulled marriage are considered legitimate (canon 1137). An annulment affects only the marital status of the parties themselves and then only according to Church law.	The Tribunal itself does not annul marriages, any more than a cricket umpire bowls batsmen out. The umpire has no role in the dismissal. He simply adjudges whether the fielding team has dismissed the batsman. When the fielding team appeals the umpire has only two findings open to him, "out" or "not out".