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MJJean
Guest
There are many reasons a marriage could have been invalid according to Church teachings. You should speak with your pastor for guidance.
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dans0622
Guest
Hello,
Every case is unique so while I could quote statistics, I won’t. It is not really possible to say anything about likelihood of a declaration of nullity.
That being said, you can certainly ask the local tribunal to examine your marriage. The current marital status of the other party is irrelevant to the procedure. Your own marital status (meaning, if you were in a second, civil marriage), for that matter, is also irrelevant. A person’s state of grace is also not something we are concerned about.
So, no, no one would tell you that you have to stay single (if, by that, you mean that the tribunal would not even accept your case).
Dan
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Convert1
Guest
I spoke with my advocate this week and he explained that many tribunals are processing their current cases (mine included) that are pending to send out “Final Decisions” on December 8th. They are “holding onto” these cases so that all tribunals will have less case loads from other tribunals sending their cases for a second judgment of nullity. Essentially, they are focusing on their own current cases in order to send them out as Final Decisions on December 8th. (The effective date of Pope Francis’s new guidelines)
Dan: If you know about this, can you elaborate on it?
Dan: If you know about this, can you elaborate on it?
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EvelynEVF
Guest
God help us. I can see that for some people, that will be a good thing. For me, it would be awful. Contrary to what I posted here this summer about a first instance decision reached in 4 years, I am actually at the 5.5 year point and still waiting. I need my case to be DONE at the first instance well before Dec 8, because the financial outlay of appealing unnecessarily to Rome is about the only deterrent there is. Post Dec 8 this won’t matter.
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dans0622
Guest
Umm… So, if I understand what you said, the tribunal is (perhaps) delaying some decision (or decisions) until December 8 so that the second instance process is not needed?
I’ve heard tribunal personnel talking about doing that. I don’t particularly care for it. But, I am pretty sure that basically every Tribunal out there will process the cases so that the Sentences are signed on December 8…even if the Sentences could have been completed a week, two weeks, month, six weeks earlier. The thinking is that the weeks of delay will be “worth it” considering the time it typically takes to process a case through the second instance court.
Dan
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dans0622
Guest
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Huiou_Theou
Guest
I just turned my annulment questionairre in, last Tuesday. It came out to 92 pages + an appendix of about another 10 pages. (All typed). The priest I was working with commented that he would “love to see them open the letter.” Normally, apparently, people don’t actually follow the instructions and anemic responses are given. But the priest seemed quite happy that I was thorough even though the response was huge in my estimation. Sadly, the depression that writing all that down caused me to fumble over it for close to 8 months before I could complete it; and the priest indicated there will likely be a long time before they process what I wrote. I’m not actually engaged to get married at the present time, and the priest thinks that will cause the tribunal to drag their feet more with me than with others.
But I don’t think I could date, if I don’t have the declaration of nullity, as that would make me feel like I was being unfaithful; It’s weird, but I feel like people get punished for trying to do right…
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EvelynEVF
Guest
I wish. Up until now I have been scrupulously careful not to disclose any identifying information, so I have altered details. Now I’m just so tired of it, as the first instance plods on and I know I have years more in Rome to look forward to. I know that they always have to give the benefit of the doubt to the validity of the marriage, but to have a spouse exploit that to continue the abuse and control I thought I had escaped when I divorced him is awful.
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dans0622
Guest
Well, maybe the new norms will help since it will now be easier for higher courts (including the Rota) to reject appeals that are merely delaying tactics.
Whenever I am involved in a case that drags on and on, I am personally embarrassed and ashamed (even as Defender). Even though I am not on your case, I am still embarrassed and ashamed.
Dan
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dans0622
Guest
Hello,I just turned my annulment questionairre in, last Tuesday. It came out to 92 pages + an appendix of about another 10 pages. (All typed). The priest I was working with commented that he would “love to see them open the letter.” Normally, apparently, people don’t actually follow the instructions and anemic responses are given. But the priest seemed quite happy that I was thorough even though the response was huge in my estimation. Sadly, the depression that writing all that down caused me to fumble over it for close to 8 months before I could complete it; and the priest indicated there will likely be a long time before they process what I wrote. I’m not actually engaged to get married at the present time, and the priest thinks that will cause the tribunal to drag their feet more with me than with others.
Uh, yeah, that’s a lot. Such a lengthy tome should make no difference in how the case is processed. The people at the Tribunal should have no problem with it…other than a few sighs and extra cups of coffee, I suppose.
Doing the right thing is often hard work and causes suffering (see St. Paul on the training of athletes).
Dan
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Convert1
Guest
This is what I have understood the tribunal to say. Point being: If I receive my first instance affirmative decision today; the average time for second decision is 90-120 days by the second tribunal. With that said, the process would exceed December 8th at that point.
So I guess their thought process is, it makes more sense to grant a final first decision at that time, and be done with it. And yes, you are correct; I was told almost every one is following this trend. It also frees up each tribunal to focus on their existing internal cases, rather than adding all the second instances from other dioceses. My advocate was very positive, and stated that I would have long been told by now if there was a problem with the strength of my case. But I agree with EvelynEVF, that this has been one of the absolute worst experiences of my life; and I too just want it over.
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rose2
Guest
As I am waiting for the rota to decide on an appeal that the second tribunal has said there is a case to answer am I correct in thinking the new rules will not affect me?
In England we don’t fill in a questionaire we have a recorded interview. are there different processes around the world?
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Augustine
Guest
I am very much in the same position as you. It took me 6 months to fill in the questionnaire, even if I didn’t add 10 extra pages to mine. I’m still sorting out the documentation to file at last. However, I have to talk to my advocate about the best timing to file, given the recent changes to the process to come in effect in a few months.
I am not dating either. I am not discerning anything until I am free to do so. Yet, I look forward to discerning with an open heart what God has in stock for me as soon as conclusion is reached, whatever it is. But, unlike you, I find comfort in trying to do the right thing. I love God and His Church and feel delighted to hear Him speak to me through her.
Pax Christi
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Convert1
Guest
I have learned almost every Tribunal in the U.S. is somewhat different. I filled out a questionnaire, wrote a petition, and was personally interviewed. Afterward, I had to take two psychological tests. My witnesses filled out a questionnaire and were personally interviewed, also. On the other hand, my husband wrote a petition and his witnesses answered a short list of questions and that was it. Perhaps instituting some continuity would be beneficial to everyone.
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EvelynEVF
Guest
In my case, everybody did written questionnaires first. It was only when the respondent read the first publication of the acts and was completely shocked and kind of went berserk that they started asking for interviews. I was given a list of further topics to write about (I ended up submitting well over 100 pages all told), and then I had several phone conversations, but only one was a formal interview. One key witness did a follow up phone interview, and then THE key witness actually did an in-person interview first, because she is a better talker than writer, and then there was a second interview, but I don’t know if that was in person or by phone. There were a couple of phone calls to people who had important information that I had mentioned in my testimony, who could not testify per se because the respondent refused to release mental health records, but they could be asked very specific questions about how they practiced in particular hypothetical situations.
So, total mishmash. The standard in uncomplicated, uncontested cases in my diocese is written questionnaires.
So, total mishmash. The standard in uncomplicated, uncontested cases in my diocese is written questionnaires.
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Convert1
Guest
Mine was uncontested. My respondent could care less what the Catholic Church thinks.
Yet the process has taken as long as one that was contested in my Diocese.
I can’t imagine your emotional pain for this long, EvelynEVF. I pray that your case ends for you soon.
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EvelynEVF
Guest
They made you do psych testing for an uncontested case? Wow. I guess it’s good that they are/were thorough, but all I’ve ever heard of is that if both spouses agree, if there is enough evidence for the petition to get as far as a tribunal, it’s pretty much a done deal.
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kristis524
Guest
Does anyone know how long it takes for the Tribunal to accept your case? I sent my petition in on August 29th and have heard nothing from the Tribunal at all. I live in the Galveston Houston Archdiocese if that helps. Thanks for ANY responses
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EvelynEVF
Guest
Thanks for this. Maybe it will work out in my favor after all.
Up until now I have kept it mostly tucked away and only discussed with a few people so as not to get myself all wound up. I’m to the point of bursting now. I can’t figure out why, if he felt bad enough to call it sinful TWO YEARS AGO, the judge has not made this case his personal project and gotten it over and done with. The most recent substantial delay was because a key witness feared for my safety when her testimony was read. She did finally submit it, and I’m still alive after the second publication, so let’s finish up and be done with it.
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EvelynEVF
Guest
It will vary, obviously, but I wrote all my stuff up and gave it to my pastor in March and got notification of acceptance by the tribunal in May.
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