There has been a lot of talk recently about the show "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire" and the likely pending annulment case. Is there any biblical basis for an annulment? I know of none. How and when did this doctrine develop in the Catholic Church? -- Michael Schaefer (New York)
I know of none either. Sorry I do not know the origin of "annulment " except as a concession to the law of the Bible that divorce in most cases is wrong. This is the sort of doctrine that would have made Jesus blood boil. (I am thinking particularly of his assault on Corban theology in Matthew 15 and his attack on oaths in Matthew 23.) As usual we humans try to create loopholes. I think it is like the Calvinist proclaiming "If that fellow left the Lord he was never saved in the first place." An evasion of responsibility. The Lord never intended divorce. In fact (as Malachi says) he hates it.
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