[TheStickman]

Thanks for sharing your insights. I appreciate the time you and others have given in posting in this thread.

I guess what's hardest for me to understand is this: how can the parish priest determine how long we are going to have to wait for our annulment when I've yet to put pen to paper on any of this? We've yet to even have a single conversation with the parish priest, either individually or as a couple.

'Tis puzzling to be sure.

[sinkspur]

how can the parish priest determine how long we are going to have to wait for our annulment when I've yet to put pen to paper on any of this?

There are mandatory time frames built into the process. The priest will know the minimum time, but he will not know the maximum. Most annulments can take up to two years; some take longer, especially if dealing with multiple marriages.

He's not trying to keep you out of the Church; he likely just wants to avoid inevitable disappointment if you think you're going to be admitted next Easter, when there's no way that will happen.

Talk to him.