Victor said:
So far I don't see why the Church won't recognize your marriage. Just be patient and understand that the Church has a very high view of marriage.
No see, this is where I kinda think the hypocracy comes into play a bit. I do realize that the Catholic Church has a very high view of marriage. However, that view can easily be changed as people see fit.
If it were a situation where NO divorces were allowed, NO annullments were allowed, and once you were married, that was it. I'd understand. If you Catholic Church wanted to turn away members who have been divorced, I would understand. If they denied allowing you to marry in their Church because you had been married before and they consider you still married because they don't believe in divorce, then I understand.
But like I said, it's quite simple to get a marriage annulled in the Catholic Church. Much easier than it is via the government. I know people who were married for over a decade, had children, drifted apart and were divorced. In the eyes of the government, they had to get a divorce. Not a valid reason for an annullment. But, they forked over $500, gave the Church an excuse, and the Church was happy to annull the marriage even though it lasted for quite some time and there were children involved.
Seems a bit strange to me, and not quite the "high view of marriage". And, if you take it a step further, shouldn't pre-marital sex be a huge no no for the Church? They will allow you to annull a marriage even though they know sex was involved, and then get remarried.
I dunno. Just seems like the Church wants to be considered as followly strictly by the rules on one hand, but will easily break those rules when they no longer fit someone's current needs.