What is the Church declaration that a marriage is null and void called?

• A. Annulment
• B. Divorce
• C. Separation
• D. Reconciliation

Answer: (A)

An annulment is a declaration that a marriage never became a valid, sacramental bond in the eyes of the Church. In Catholic teaching, a marriage is valid only if both spouses freely give genuine consent and the proper form is observed. If essential elements are missing—such as lack of true consent, coercion, inability to commit, or failure to follow canonical form—the Church may determine that no true marriage ever existed. This is different from a civil divorce, which ends a valid marriage in secular law. If an annulment is granted, the individuals are free to marry again in the Church because the original bond is considered invalid from the start. Other options describe ending or separating a marriage, not asserting that it was invalid from the beginning.