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Church Nixes Joe K's Annulment

Political scion's first marriage just won't quit

By M. Morris, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 20, 2007 2:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – Politics and religion collided today with the revelation by Joe Kennedy's ex-wife that the Catholic Church has reversed its decision to annul their marriage. Sheila Rauch Kennedy, an Episcopalian, tells Time that the process of invalidating her marriage to the ex-congressman was "dishonest, and it was important to stand up and say that."

Rauch's marriage to Robert Kennedy's oldest son ended in civil divorce in 1991 and was later annulled—as she learned after he remarried. She launched a campaign to call attention to the process and undo the annulment, but experts predicted little success against the powerful Kennedy clan. She learned of her success in May and said yesterday she's "very pleased."

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' (Citizens Energy)

Joseph P. Kennedy II and his then wife, Sheila, are shown in Boston in this Dec. 5, 1985, file photo. They were granted a civil divorce in 1991. The Vatican has reversed the annulment of their marriage... (Associated Press)

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Church Nixes Joe K's Annulment