Annulment vs Divorce

Many catholics believe that an annulment is a divorce of a catholic couple but this is incorrect. A divorce is the separation of two married people and is not validated by the Church. A civil divorce can only be acknowledged if an annulment is given (church divorce). An annulment recognizes that a marriage never happened either because of unjust reasons such as someone being forced into marriage. An annulment states that a valid marriage never existed and therefore it is possible to become separated because their marriage wasnt valid. "According to the Church...a true marriage a man and a woman become one flesh before the eyes of God...However, various impediments can render an individual unable to contract marriage. For this reason (or for other reasons that render the marriage null and void), after an examination of the situation by the competent ecclesiastical tribunal, the Church can declare the nullity of a marriage, i.e., that the marriage never existed. In this case, provided the natural obligations of a previous union are discharged, the contracting parties are free to marry -Catechism of the Catholic Church"