Is coercion grounds for an annulment?
The short answer
Yes. From what you describe, the marriage sounds invalid. Canon law says a marriage entered because of force or grave fear from outside, compelling a person to marry in order to escape it, is invalid.
It does sound as though this marriage is invalid because of the coercion you describe.
- Canon 1089: no marriage can exist between a man and a woman he has abducted or at least detained with a view to marriage, unless she chooses marriage freely after being separated from him and placed somewhere safe and free.
- Canon 1103: a marriage is invalid if entered into because of force or grave fear from outside, even if unintentionally inflicted, which compels a person to choose marriage to escape it.
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