Delay in obtaining declaration of nullity

[joanofarc2008]

Actually, I’m pretty sure that is the way it is supposed to be done, infact couples are supposed to seek permission to separate. Grrr, wish I had my hands on the documentation.

I am so sad to know there are people out there who do not know they can go to their pastor, and some who may have pastors who will not take the time.

Extra rosary for priests tonight!

Actually there is an exception to this that I was alluding to when I said it would be nice if everyone could do this. The exception is cases of domestic violence.

Here is the Canon:

Can. 1153
§1 A spouse who occasions grave danger of soul or body to the other or to the children, or otherwise makes the common life unduly difficult, provides the other spouse with a reason to leave, either by a decree of the local Ordinary or, if there is danger in delay, even on his or her own authority.

By the way - a decree of an Ordinary can be as simple as I go to Father and say, “Hey Father my husband is …[insert issue here].” Father says,“Bless you child what do you think you should do.”

“Well Father I think I should leave for the good of me and my future children (I don’t have any)”

“I can’t tell you what to do this is a time of discernment for you but it sounds like this is not a snap decision. It also seems like you have done everything in your power to save your marriage. Please let me know what you decide and i will be here for you.”

(I never got a certificate to put on the wall - did anyone else? Of course mine also had to leave on his own in the end because I didn’t have the strength to toss him.)

 

[Spirithound]

Is it typical that a person would delay seeking a declaration of nullity until they find someone (else) they want to marry? Or is that just the nature of this forum?

Thank you all for fruitful discussion, which I hope will continue. My context for asking these questions was purely hypothetical. I am not married, nor have I ever attempted marriage, nor has anyone asked me for advice. I seem to remember (perhaps incorrectly…) some time ago, someone here writing that a tribunal will often only look at a case if one of the persons involved wants to remarry (I interpreted that to mean right away). Peace

 

[joanofarc2008]

Thank you all for fruitful discussion, which I hope will continue. My context for asking these questions was purely hypothetical. I am not married, nor have I ever attempted marriage, nor has anyone asked me for advice. I seem to remember (perhaps incorrectly…) some time ago, someone here writing that a tribunal will often only look at a case if one of the persons involved wants to remarry (I interpreted that to mean right away). Peace

I think right away is a relative term. The only cases I have heard about getting any kind of priority are people entering the Church whose remarriages without decree of nullity are an impediment doing so. In these cases in some dioceses they try to get these cases heard before Easter Vigil. After all most of the time it is no fault of the people the decree of nullity process was not part of their former faith. The question did spark some good discussion though.

 

[Pug]

Thank you all for fruitful discussion, which I hope will continue. My context for asking these questions was purely hypothetical. I am not married, nor have I ever attempted marriage, nor has anyone asked me for advice. I seem to remember (perhaps incorrectly…) some time ago, someone here writing that a tribunal will often only look at a case if one of the persons involved wants to remarry (I interpreted that to mean right away). Peace

Huh. Perhaps instead what someone said to you was that they won’t look at a case unless the person had already obtained a civil divorce. That sounds more likely. In my diocese, they will hear your case even if you are not currently in a new relationship. I’ve never heard otherwise from anywhere nearby.

Be aware, though, that in very poor countries, the tribunals are much harder to gain access to, so perhaps you were hearing from someone in a poorer country, with poor roads and infrastructure.