Thanks. Good article. I appreciated the Canon rule reference from Trent. I never saw that before. I had wondered where an official decree might be found regarding the Traditional doctrine.
It seems to me like you are speaking about two different things here… separation, and annulment. I don’t know the Catholic procedure for separation but this is something different from annulment… it might not be the same process. Annulment is such a major process because the Church needs to figure out if there even was a marriage in the first place, and if there was then the annulment is not granted - then if the couple separates, they can’t remarry anyone elseI agree largely with the Catholic position on divorce and remarriage. However, I part ways when it comes to the bureaucracy and the way in which the RCC handles the annulment process.
Personally, I find large agreement with the way many of the confessional Lutheran bodies handle the situation. From what I understand, adultery and abandonment are the only valid reasons for a divorce (as attested to in Scripture). That being said, it is still their position that the couple with the grievance should still try to work through their issues without divorce. If a divorce is inevitable or if it happens, then remarriage is left up to the local church pastor.
If the pastor knows the people involved, then what better person to make this judgment? In my estimation, the local pastor is going to be in a better position (potentially) to make this call.
Again, while I largely agree with the RCC position, I find the bureaucratic process to be unnecessary. I say let the local parish priest (if he is familiar with the couple and situation) make the call. This is just all my opinion.
I’m speaking of mostly divorce and then remarriage. From what I understand, if there is just a separation and no remarriage (while certainly not ideal), then the situation is much different.
I believe there does need to be support of a pastor to initiate the process… but there are probably practical reasons for not having the pastor decide the matter.
I think you are 100% correct about the short-comings of allowing the local pastor more power over this process, however, I think that if a pastor can’t pastor his church, then perhaps he shouldn’t be a pastor. I think there should be safe guards against the things you mention (bribe, scandal, bias). I think that both the pastor should be allowed to excuse himself if he feels like he is too close and it could impact his findings and I think that the parishioners filing should have the same option, if they think pastor bias etc. could have an impact.
When taking into account all gospels, Jesus seems to be prohibiting divorce in** all situations. The exception for* porneia,*** in Matthew is Jesus saying there is no need for a divorce,*** because in reality there was no marriage,*** which the annulment process conforms to nicely.I agree largely with the Catholic position on divorce and remarriage. However, I part ways when it comes to the bureaucracy and the way in which the RCC handles the annulment process.
Personally, I find large agreement with the way many of the confessional Lutheran bodies handle the situation. From what I understand, adultery and abandonment are the only valid reasons for a divorce (as attested to in Scripture). That being said, it is still their position that the couple with the grievance should still try to work through their issues without divorce. If a divorce is inevitable or if it happens, then remarriage is left up to the local church pastor.
If the pastor knows the people involved, then what better person to make this judgment? In my estimation, the local pastor is going to be in a better position (potentially) to make this call.
Again, while I largely agree with the RCC position, I find the bureaucratic process to be unnecessary. I say let the local parish priest (if he is familiar with the couple and situation) make the call. This is just all my opinion.