From the Pastor's Desk: Archives

November 15, 2015

Annulment

Pope Francis made headlines again. The Year of Mercy beginning December 8 will bring with it perhaps the most significant changes in Church law concerning marriage in 300 years. Francis' actions seem to be a response to a request made by a number of bishops at last year's Extraordinary Synod on the Family to streamline the annulment process. Many of the details of the changes are still unclear.

In the meantime, it might be helpful to review what an annulment is, and what it is not. An annulment is not a "Catholic divorce." It is a determination by the Church that an indissoluble bond did not come into being at the time of the wedding. This is due to what Canon Law calls an impediment. For example, if one or both partners did not accept one of the three "goods" of matrimony -- willingness to have children, exclusive fidelity to one's spouse, a lifetime commitment -- there would not be a true marriage.

Even if a declaration of nullity is declared, since the couple entered into the relationship with good will, any children resulting from the union are still considered legitimate. And those who have divorced are not excommunicated! While the Church, following Jesus' instruction in the Gospels, seeks to protect the sanctity of marriage and views divorce as tragic, those who are divorced can typically still receive the Sacraments (especially those who have been abandoned by their spouses). Even those who have divorced and remarried outside of the Church are still members of the Church and should continue to attend Mass, even if they are asked to refrain from receiving Holy Communion until their situation is resolved.

And the changes proposed by the Pope could allow many people to achieve such resolution. The cost to those seeking annulments may be reduced. Bishops will have more discretion concerning how cases are handled. And some procedures which can lengthen the time to complete cases will be modified. Let us pray that the Holy Father's actions will allow many who have been wounded by divorce to find true healing and reconciliation with the Church.

St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church | 2 Whitebridge Rd., Pittstown, NJ 08867 | phone: 908-735-4024 | info@scoschurch.org. All rights reserved. Please read our privacy policy.