Pope Francis on Tuesday radically revised the process by
which Catholics may annul their marriages, streamlining steps that many in the
church considered too cumbersome and costly.
which Catholics may annul their marriages, streamlining steps that many in the
church considered too cumbersome and costly.
The move is the latest in a series of reforms by Francis as
he seeks to make the church more responsive to the real needs of lay Catholics,
especially those who have long felt marginalized by the hierarchy. Without the
annulments, Catholics who remarry are not allowed to receive Holy Communion,
which many describe as a painful exclusion from the church’s chief sacrament.
he seeks to make the church more responsive to the real needs of lay Catholics,
especially those who have long felt marginalized by the hierarchy. Without the
annulments, Catholics who remarry are not allowed to receive Holy Communion,
which many describe as a painful exclusion from the church’s chief sacrament.
“This move is in accord with the Pope’s oft-repeated
image of the Church as a ‘field hospital’ that goes out to meet people where
they are most in need, and then to treat their most serious wounds first —
rather than stay at home and wait for people to come to them,” said the
Rev. James Bretzke, an expert on papal affairs at Boston College.
image of the Church as a ‘field hospital’ that goes out to meet people where
they are most in need, and then to treat their most serious wounds first —
rather than stay at home and wait for people to come to them,” said the
Rev. James Bretzke, an expert on papal affairs at Boston College.
The three main changes announced on Tuesday are are:
• Eliminating a second review by a cleric before a marriage
can be nullified.
can be nullified.
• Giving bishops the ability to fast-track and grant the
annulments themselves in certain circumstances — for example, when spousal
abuse or an extramarital affair has occurred.
annulments themselves in certain circumstances — for example, when spousal
abuse or an extramarital affair has occurred.
• The process should be free, except for a nominal fee for
administrative costs, and should be completed within 45 days.
administrative costs, and should be completed within 45 days.
The Pope’s reforms came Tuesday in the form of two
“motu proprio” documents, Latin for “by (the Pope’s) own
initiative.” They become part of Catholic canon law on December 8, the
beginning of Francis’ declared “Year of Mercy.”
“motu proprio” documents, Latin for “by (the Pope’s) own
initiative.” They become part of Catholic canon law on December 8, the
beginning of Francis’ declared “Year of Mercy.”
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