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Vatican 'backs ex-Kennedy wife' Vatican 'backs ex-Kennedy wife'
(about 3 hours later)
The Vatican has reversed the annulment of former US Congressman Joseph P Kennedy II's first marriage, his ex-wife Sheila Rauch says.The Vatican has reversed the annulment of former US Congressman Joseph P Kennedy II's first marriage, his ex-wife Sheila Rauch says.
They were divorced in 1991 and Mr Kennedy obtained the annulment in secret in 1993, before he married his secretary Anne Elizabeth Kelly.They were divorced in 1991 and Mr Kennedy obtained the annulment in secret in 1993, before he married his secretary Anne Elizabeth Kelly.
Ms Rauch had alleged that the Kennedy family had used its influence in the church to obtain the annulment.Ms Rauch had alleged that the Kennedy family had used its influence in the church to obtain the annulment.
Mr Kennedy is the nephew of President John F Kennedy, assassinated in 1963.Mr Kennedy is the nephew of President John F Kennedy, assassinated in 1963.
His father, Robert Kennedy, was in turn murdered in 1968 as he campaigned for the Democratic Party's nomination for presidential candidate.His father, Robert Kennedy, was in turn murdered in 1968 as he campaigned for the Democratic Party's nomination for presidential candidate.
"The annulment decision totally overlooked the fact that I felt that we had a very strong marriage in the beginning, we had two wonderful children, and it lasted," said Ms Rauch."The annulment decision totally overlooked the fact that I felt that we had a very strong marriage in the beginning, we had two wonderful children, and it lasted," said Ms Rauch.
The Vatican reached its decision in 2005 and informed her in May, Ms Rauch said.The Vatican reached its decision in 2005 and informed her in May, Ms Rauch said.
She received the notification in Latin and had it translated by the archdiocese of Boston, the Boston Globe newspaper says.She received the notification in Latin and had it translated by the archdiocese of Boston, the Boston Globe newspaper says.
Mr Kennedy has made no comment on the Vatican's decision.Mr Kennedy has made no comment on the Vatican's decision.
An annulment declares a marriage invalid, allowing a person to marry again in the Roman Catholic Church and receive sacrament. An annulment declares a marriage invalid, allowing a person to marry again in the Roman Catholic Church and receive the sacraments.
Mr Kennedy served in the US House of Representatives from 1987 to 1999.Mr Kennedy served in the US House of Representatives from 1987 to 1999.