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Nicole Kidman Wasn't Married to Tom Cruise...

Posted Jun 26th 2006 6:59PM by TMZ Staff

Nicole Kidmanat least according to the Catholic Church in Australia.

Many around the world were scratching their heads this past weekend, trying to figure out exactly how Kidman was able to get married as a Catholic in a Catholic ceremony, as the Church does not allow for a second marriage (in the Church) after a divorce. Many assumed that Kidman had gotten her marriage to Tom Cruise annulled, which would technically have paved the way for a second marriage in the Church.

Well, not so fast. Kidman's marriage to Cruise lasted 10 years -- a little long to plead temporary insanity -- and considering how notoriously difficult it is to have the Church grant an annulment (they're not handing them out like communion wafers), Kidman may have figured out how to get around the requirement -- she reportedly didn't need an annulment at all.

The BBC is reporting that Kidman's 10-year union to Cruise wasn't recognized by the Catholic Church of Australia. The service was seen only as a legal ceremony and not a spiritual one. In other words, according to the Catholic Church anyway, it never happened. All Kidman had to prove was that it was dissolved legally and she was free to marry any country crooner she wanted. A loophole to be sure, but one that allowed Kidman to reconnect her Catholic faith with Keith Urban, the man she loves.

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Tags: annulment, catholic church, CatholicChurch, keith urban, KeithUrban, Nicole kidman, NicoleKidman, tom cruise, TomCruise, wedding

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(Page 24 of 24) Previous 15 Comments

346. SinCerely is correct that a non-Catholic union is supposed to be annulled before a Catholic marriage can take place. Yes, even though it wasn't recognized in the first place. Go figure.

Youwish, etc. has - ahem - interesting comments, but I think it's totally hilarious he criticizes posters about spelling and in the same sentence misuses homophone "sight" when presumably he meant "site."

Posted at 11:09AM on Jul 5th 2006 by Raejean French

347. ok,here'st he scoop for those of you who don't know the laws of the Catholic Church:
a "marriage" that is not held in the church or on consecrated ground that is not performed by a Catholic preist is not a marriage. It is a non-event. Therefore, in the eyes of the church, no, they were never married. So she is free to marry Keith Urban in the Catholic Church.

As for being excommunicated, to warrant that, a Catholic needs to marry a non-Christian in a religious ceremony. (which is hard to do because a praticing Catholic preist and a practicing Jewish Rabbi will not marry in religious ceremonies with out the chance of being excommunitcated from their parishes or synagoges. My friend was a Catholic priest who explained this to me before you attack me & tell me I'm wrong.)

Nicole & Tom's marriage is not viewed as a marriage by the Catholic church. Living together "in sin" is not reason that one would be excommunicated.

When I got married in the Catholic church, our deacon asked us if we lived together, which we did not. However, they would have married us even if we had.

Posted at 12:48PM on Jul 5th 2006 by B S

348. WHO CARES!!!!!! GET A LIFE

Posted at 8:30PM on Jul 6th 2006 by Melaney

349. Actually the catholic church DOES allow for someone to get married in the church if they have been divorced. In order to get married in a catholic church after a divorce you must petition the Diocese of whatever catholic church you wish to be married in. You must also got through marriage classes (sortof like counseling).

just thought I would let you know.

Thanks, Tammy

Posted at 2:27PM on Jul 10th 2006 by Tammy

350. The Catholics writing these comments don't seem able to agree on what the Catholic Church recognizes or doesn't recognize and why. I read this to get a better understanding of this aspect of the religion but am more confused than before. One thing everyone seems to be in agreement is that Scientology is WEIRD!

Posted at 12:35AM on Jul 25th 2006 by Susan

351. First, Nicole was at the Jamboree in the Hills and DEMANDED EVERYONE LEAVE THE STAGE BEFORE SHE EVEN ARRIVED. I am so saddened to hear that even the sound guys and stage hands aren't good enough to get a look at her.
Shame on her.
Secondly, you cannot wed in a Catholic Church if you have been previously married anywhere. The church considers a legal marriage one that must be annuled by the church prior to marrying again in the church, which is not that hard to do, by the way.

Posted at 4:13PM on Jul 29th 2006 by Lisa Margolis

352. The Kidman/Urban nuptuials were done with class. This union will be the one to survive wealth and fame. God Bless you both with a lifetime of happiness. As far as Tomcat goes......well if Katie ever had the guts to stand up and say Scientology is a bunch of :hocus pocus" then you can bet she would be history.

Posted at 7:32PM on Jul 31st 2006 by Karen

353. Well I thought that the TMZ paparazzi's photographers are expert, but You only have SEVEN pictures of Nicole's Wedding. You can't even get inside the real ceremony and reception hall where it was held. So to Me that makes You EXPERT GOSSIPERS with no strong capabilities to be able to get in yourselves to take more PICS. HAHAHA You just make Me laugh. By the way Nicole You look very stunning in Your outfit, may You blessed with Your marriage!!!!!!!!! BYE PAPARAZZI EXPERT ON GOSSIPING ONLY, NO STRONG CAPABILITIES

Posted at 1:25PM on Aug 7th 2006 by Maria

354. The Church is rediculous. They make the rules as they go along depending how much you pay them.

Posted at 9:57PM on Sep 11th 2006 by Me

355. How nice of all of you taking shots at the Catholic Church! Are you members? Converts? Ex-Catholics? Whichever...please get your facts straight. Every religion has aspects that not all members are partial to; stop bashing Catholicism.

Nicole was smart and got away from that freak Tom Cruise. I have respect for organized religions; however, Scientology is a cult! Nicole realized this, got smart and got out. Katie, take the hint!

Nicole, best of luck to you and Keith. I'm very happy that you had a traditional Catholic ceremony. Hopefully, when Tom is old and gray, after the last spaceship has left planet Earth, he'll realize the error of his ways.

Posted at 10:32PM on Sep 12th 2006 by KT

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