Catholic Answers Live – Episode #12472

Title: Is Annulment Required for All Divorced Catholics? Bible and Faith - Jim Blackburn
Date: November 25, 2025
Guest: Jim Blackburn
Host: Cy Kellett

Episode Overview

This episode of Catholic Answers Live centers on critical questions about Catholic teaching regarding the authority and reliability of the Bible, the necessity for annulment in cases of divorce and remarriage, and related nuances in Catholic practice. Guest apologist Jim Blackburn uses listener call-ins to clarify common confusions around annulment, scriptural inerrancy, and other issues of Catholic faith, providing direct, doctrinally rooted answers and referencing both Scripture and Church documents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reliability and Inerrancy of the Bible

• [03:04]–[12:53]

  • How do Catholics know the Bible is reliable and inerrant?
    • The Church's recognition of the Bible is not circular; it stems from the authority given by Jesus to the apostles and their successors.
    • Jesus affirmed the Old Testament’s authority, and through apostolic authority, the Church defined the canon of Scripture.
    • The canon was solidified in the fourth century (notably 382 AD under Pope Damasus), long before the Protestant Reformation.
    • Protestant Bibles are missing seven books included in the Catholic canon because these were removed during the Reformation, not added by Catholics.
    • The Council of Trent infallibly declared the 73-book canon to be the inspired word of God.
    • Sacred Tradition is vital; through it, the Church understands which books are inspired.
    • Quoting Dei Verbum 11 (Second Vatican Council document), all that is asserted by the inspired authors is held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, making Scripture inerrant in what God wills to convey for salvation.

  “We first believe that Jesus is who He said He was. He’s God. Jesus granted authority to people, the apostles and their successors … it was with that authority that the successors determine … this is the Bible.” – Jim Blackburn [08:01]

  • The Bible isn’t the sum total of divine revelation; sacred tradition carries equal authority.

2. Jim Blackburn’s Role and the Catholic Questions Apostolate

• [14:16]–[18:36]

  • Jim celebrates 20 years as a guest on the show.
  • He founded CatholicQuestions.com after Catholic Answers closed its Q&A department, continuing to answer thousands of personal questions annually with a team of volunteer apologists.

  “We answer every question that we get and we welcome feedback or responses to our answers so that we can make sure that we’re really getting to the heart of what somebody's asking about.” – Jim Blackburn [17:35]

3. Is Annulment Required for All Divorced Catholics?

• [19:00]–[25:57] Colin from Plymouth asks about USCCB guidelines

  • Annulment is required only if the divorced person is remarried.
  • The Church teaches (cf. Matthew 19:6) that only death dissolves a valid marriage.
  • If a divorced person is not remarried, an annulment is not universally required to become Catholic.
  • Civil divorce can at times be tolerated for serious reasons (e.g., abuse, abandonment, legal/civic matters), but it does not dissolve a sacramental marriage.
  • If a divorced person seeks to remarry (or has remarried), the Church must first examine whether the initial marriage was valid; if so, the new union cannot be recognized.
  • An annulment is a declaration that the first marriage was not valid due to a defect at the time of consent—not simply the fact of divorce or remarriage.
  • Even for divorced and remarried persons, if they agree to live in continence (“as brother and sister”) until the marital situation is resolved, they may participate in the sacraments (cf. Catechism 1650).

  "An annulment would be necessary ... if the church determines [the first marriage] was not valid ... then the church can go on to ... recognize [a] second marriage as a valid marriage." – Jim Blackburn [21:10]

4. Translation Variations in Scripture

• [29:41]–[36:16] Henry from Vancouver notes the “vinegar” vs “wine” translation during the Passion

  • Translation differences are common due to source language ambiguity (Greek/Latin/Aramaic).
  • Translators may use more literal (word-for-word) or dynamic (thought-for-thought) methods, causing differences.
  • Both “wine” and “vinegar” may be correct depending on context and linguistic tradition; they reflect nuances of the original term.

  “Vinegar and wine aren’t completely different. There’s a relationship there. And the Greek word … can be translated either way.” – Jim Blackburn [30:41]

5. Dreams, Visions, and Private Revelation

• [36:35]–[44:17] Dylan from Missouri shares a powerful dream of Jesus

  • The Church typically does not authenticate private revelations based on dreams alone.
  • Key question: Does the dream's content align with Church teaching and lead to a holier life?
  • In cases of confusion or profound impact, consulting a spiritual director is advised.

  “If it moves you to turn away from that sin, go to confession, and be a better, holier man … then to me, then it’s at least a good dream.” – Jim Blackburn [44:06]

6. Annulment, Divorce, and Marital Infidelity: Scriptural Basis

• [46:55]–[54:34] Scott from Fargo, ND asks about the Church’s approach re: infidelity and the “exception clause” in Matthew 5

  • Infidelity after a valid marriage and consummation does not dissolve a sacramental marriage.
  • Annulment is not the dissolution of a valid marriage but a recognition that a marriage was null from the outset (due to some impediment or defect of consent).
  • Civil divorce may be necessary for safety or practical concerns but does not end the sacramental bond.
  • The so-called “exception clause” (“except for unchastity”) in Matthew 5 is interpreted by the Catholic Church not as an allowance for divorce due to adultery, but as referring to marriages that were invalid from the beginning, often due to unlawful or incestuous relationships, which could be dissolved.
  • Annulment might be possible if ongoing infidelity is evidence there was never the intent or ability to commit to a true marriage at the start.

  “Infidelity on the part of one of the spouses does not dissolve that marriage. ... An annulment doesn’t actually do anything to the marriage. It just recognizes: Did a valid marriage come into existence on the wedding day, or did it not?” – Jim Blackburn [50:04]

  • Jim refers listeners to his article "Did Jesus Allow Divorce?" at catholic.com for an in-depth treatment of this scripture.

Notable Quotes

• On the Authority of the Bible [08:01]

  “We first believe that Jesus is who He said He was. He’s God. Jesus granted authority to people, the apostles and their successors … it was with that authority that the successors determine … this is the Bible.” – Jim Blackburn

• On Annulment and Remarriage [21:10]

  "An annulment would be necessary ... if the church determines [the first marriage] was not valid ... then the church can go on to ... recognize [a] second marriage as a valid marriage." – Jim Blackburn

• On Civil Divorce and the Sacraments [23:20]

  "If the person ... has not remarried, then he's not necessarily living in a state of an objective state of sin. ... If there's not an ongoing life of sin, that would seem to be the case." – Jim Blackburn

• On Infidelity and Indissolubility [50:04]

  “Infidelity on the part of one of the spouses does not dissolve that marriage. ... An annulment doesn’t actually do anything to the marriage. It just recognizes: Did a valid marriage come into existence on the wedding day, or did it not?” – Jim Blackburn

• On Dream Visions [44:06]

  “If it moves you to turn away from that sin, go to confession, and be a better, holier man … then to me, then it’s at least a good dream.” – Jim Blackburn

Important Timestamps

• [03:04] – Why Catholics believe the Bible is true and not circular reasoning
• [08:01] – Jesus as the starting point for trusting the Church’s authority
• [19:00] – Is annulment required for all divorced persons?
• [21:10] – Distinction between civil divorce and Church annulment
• [23:20] – Remarriage, continence, and reception of the sacraments
• [30:41] – Translation differences: 'vinegar' or 'wine' during the Passion
• [36:57] – Guidance on dreams and private revelation
• [46:55] – Why infidelity does not nullify a marriage, Catholic and Protestant differences
• [52:48] – The “exception clause” in Matthew 5 and Catholic doctrine

Tone & Style

The episode maintains its familiar, approachable and educational tone, using real-world caller scenarios to explore complex theological issues in clear, accessible language, seasoned with host Jim Blackburn's humility and professional, pastoral manner.

Summary Takeaway

Annulment is not required for all divorced Catholics, only for those who wish to remarry in the Church. Valid marriages are indissoluble by any human power, including in cases of infidelity. The Church’s understanding of the Bible’s authority rests on the authority given by Christ and maintained through apostolic succession—not on circular logic. Personal experiences, such as significant dreams, should be discerned with spiritual guidance, always in reference to Church teaching.

Listeners are encouraged to contact CatholicQuestions.com for further personal guidance and to reference the Catechism and other documents for catechetical clarity.