Author Topic: Diocese of Pittsburgh eliminates fees for marriage annulments (Read 1074 times)

Geremia · « **on:** April 01, 2015, 12:36:12 PM »

Quote

Diocese of Pittsburgh eliminates fees for marriage annulments

“My staff and I have long dreamed of this move,” Bishop David Zubik said in a letter to Catholics.

By Peter Smith / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Diocese of Pittsburgh is eliminating all fees for couples seeking an annulment, Bishop David Zubik announced today.

Bishop Zubik said the decision was in response to Pope Francis’ call to make annulments easier, and free.

“My staff and I have long dreamed of this move,” Bishop Zubik said in a letter to Catholics. “Our dear Pope Francis inspired us to act now. He has called for marriage tribunals to ‘do justice freely, as we have freely been forgiven by Jesus Christ.’ My hope is that this decision will enable many people to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church.”

An annulment process previously cost several hundred dollars, and while the diocese has waived fees in cases of financial need, the presence of the fees discouraged some from applying, according to church officials. The elimination of fees takes place immediately.

Pope Francis has called for dialogue at high-level synods on the subject of the family, including on ways to make the church more receptive to divorced and remarried persons.

“The sacraments are free,” Francis said in January. “... I want so much for every process to be free of charge!”

Annulments come after a review by a church tribunal of a couple that has received a civil divorce. While the church teaches that sacramental marriage is eternal, if it’s determined there was never a spiritual bond between the couple, their marriage can be annulled and the persons can remarry. Without an annulment, the church says remarried persons cannot receive the sacraments.

Peter Smith: petersmith@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1416 or on Twitter @PG_PeterSmith.

This article reminded me of a very scandalous "Catholic"(?) church website that actually lists annulment as a sacrament; here's the screenshot I took:

Even on their updated website it classifies annulment under the sacraments page: http://sacredheartmedford.org/sacraments

Cantarella · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2015, 08:25:27 PM »

They just want to make it easier and more convenient for people to annul their marriage as the unbelievers do divorce. It is a pretty sad state of affairs, indeed and probably has to do with the world-wide war against the traditional family and the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony. It is a part of the process of secularization of the Catholic Church as to level Her down to the anti-Christian world. Annulments should be more difficult to get and only for those desperate and extreme situations, like it used to be in old times, instead of making it easier.

Geremia · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2015, 12:53:34 AM »

My wife visited a "Catholic"(?) "priest"(?), who had an annulment himself and even visits his allegedly mentally ill wife(?), and he actually suggested that she get an annulment, and that it could easily be granted her, even without my consent! Why didn't he suggest we go to confession? This really makes me think some people really do consider annulment sacred.

Ursus · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2015, 01:53:01 AM »

Saw this article and was going to post it. It's sickening. Why make it easier? Have they forgotten the spat about king Henry and contention s cub so he started Church of England? It was that serious and even he with power and wealth couldn't bend the church.

Feels so awful to have your own church against your faith.

poche · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2015, 03:03:39 AM »

Quote from: Geremia

Quote
Diocese of Pittsburgh eliminates fees for marriage annulments

“My staff and I have long dreamed of this move,” Bishop David Zubik said in a letter to Catholics.

By Peter Smith / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Diocese of Pittsburgh is eliminating all fees for couples seeking an annulment, Bishop David Zubik announced today.

Bishop Zubik said the decision was in response to Pope Francis’ call to make annulments easier, and free.

“My staff and I have long dreamed of this move,” Bishop Zubik said in a letter to Catholics. “Our dear Pope Francis inspired us to act now. He has called for marriage tribunals to ‘do justice freely, as we have freely been forgiven by Jesus Christ.’ My hope is that this decision will enable many people to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church.”

An annulment process previously cost several hundred dollars, and while the diocese has waived fees in cases of financial need, the presence of the fees discouraged some from applying, according to church officials. The elimination of fees takes place immediately.

Pope Francis has called for dialogue at high-level synods on the subject of the family, including on ways to make the church more receptive to divorced and remarried persons.

“The sacraments are free,” Francis said in January. “... I want so much for every process to be free of charge!”

Annulments come after a review by a church tribunal of a couple that has received a civil divorce. While the church teaches that sacramental marriage is eternal, if it’s determined there was never a spiritual bond between the couple, their marriage can be annulled and the persons can remarry. Without an annulment, the church says remarried persons cannot receive the sacraments.

Peter Smith: petersmith@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1416 or on Twitter @PG_PeterSmith.

This article reminded me of a very scandalous "Catholic"(?) church website that actually lists annulment as a sacrament; here's the screenshot I took:

Even on their updated website it classifies annulment under the sacraments page: http://sacredheartmedford.org/sacraments

Was ther a fee attached to the annulment?

Viva Cristo Rey · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2015, 04:34:05 AM »

RCIA isn't a Sacrament but Holy Orders is.

Ursus · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2015, 11:32:15 AM »

So annulments are supposed to be quick, easy and free.

Now what about the fees for the Sacraments like Communion? Sure charging fees for books at cost or whatever is fair, but $200-400 ? Of course you can get it free by saying your in financial hardship, but why? Can't they budget these in collections?

Maria Auxiliadora · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2015, 02:07:43 PM »

Quote from: Cantarella

They just want to make it easier and more convenient for people to annul their marriage as the unbelievers do divorce. It is a pretty sad state of affairs, indeed and probably has to do with the world-wide war against the traditional family and the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony. It is a part of the process of secularization of the Catholic Church as to level Her down to the anti-Christian world. Annulments should be more difficult to get and only for those desperate and extreme situations, like it used to be in old times, instead of making it easier.

From what I have read, this is Francis idea and the goal is (yes) to make it easy but also to leave it at the local level or even to the internal forum. Can you imagine what would happen if the state allowed free divorces? Maybe that is next, tax deductible divorces to accelerate the annulments. Church and state working together to ridicule Sacramental Marriage.