The Church in Argentina has lost more than 13 per cent of its members in a decade, according to new study (Spanish report)

[acanonlawyer]

Streamlining the annulment system is far from pastoring families. But the U.S. sure likes it.

I wasn’t (and am not) a big fan of the procedural changes introduced in 2015.

Be that as it may, based on what I’ve seen in my own work and in what other canon lawyers tell me, I think the impact of the changes in the USA has been minimal (the number of nullity cases has continued on its downward trend). I don’t think the USA was the Pope’s primary audience when he made those alterations.

Dan

 

[Ammi]

Ammi:

Streamlining the annulment system is far from pastoring families. But the U.S. sure likes it.

I wasn’t (and am not) a big fan of the procedural changes introduced in 2015.

Be that as it may, based on what I’ve seen in my own work and in what other canon lawyers tell me, I think the impact of the changes in the USA has been minimal (the number of nullity cases has continued on its downward trend). I don’t think the USA was the Pope’s primary audience when he made those alterations.

Dan

Thanks Dan.

I agree. I dont think he was thinking about the United States with his streamline changes. I wish he would address the concern that the last two Popes had over the scandalous numbers of decrees given, though.

And I am under the impression that you are right about the number of tribunal cases declining, yet the number of decrees of nullity given have remained the same. So the ratio has increased (or decreased… I’m not sure how you say that).

 

[Ammi]

Or were you saying the number of decrees of nullity were declining, or tribunal cases investigated?

 

[acanonlawyer]

Or were you saying the number of decrees of nullity were declining, or tribunal cases investigated?

Both.

The percentage of affirmatives is high, when considering the USA as a whole, but that number has crept downward over the years…ever so slightly.

Dan

 

[Ammi]

I’m sorry, by “affirmative” do you mean affirmed nullity?

It’s difficult to find sources for statistics summed up. Mary’s Advocate has spread sheets of the U.S. by cities. That would take some time to compile conclusions.

Do you have a good source?

It would be nice to see statistics in places like Argentina also.

 

[acanonlawyer]

I’m sorry, by “affirmative” do you mean affirmed nullity?

Yes.

Do you have a good source?

For the USA, the best source is the Canon Law Society of America’s yearly publication called “Proceedings”, which comes out of their yearly convention. Not every edition has statistics and sometimes they are obviously not correct. Most dioceses, but not all, submit their numbers for publication in this book.

I have no insight into finding statistics for other countries, although the Apostolic Signatura in Rome would have them (every tribunal has to submit a report of yearly activities).

Dan

 

[fedup19]

I feel the Church is losing members (not just in Argentina) because it is not very Catholic anymore, certainly not like it was b4 Vatican II.

I was just a child when all the changes were implemented and i HATED it even though i didn’t understand much of the details (most children don’t understand such things but they can FEEL when something is not right)

I miss the traditional Mass. I miss not having to shake hands with HUMANS during the Mass. Isn’t Mass supposed to be about GOD? Don’t we interact enough with sinners all week long?

I think others miss such things as well. Did I stop going to Mass? heck no… Well, actually, I did when I was very young and had left home. Hmmm… Now that I think about… I just wonder how much the new way had to do with my not being enthused about going to Mass once I left home… I am not sure what made me stop but in any case… It seems Vatican 2 was trying to make the Catholic Church somewhat more protestant. Yeh, like we really need another Protestant “church” don’t we? Last I heard, there were something like 60,000 of those, which seems like more than enough, but … just a thought.

 

[Ammi]

I think others miss such things as well. Did I stop going to Mass? heck no… Well, actually, I did when I was very young and had left home. Hmmm… Now that I think about… I just wonder how much the new way had to do with my not being enthused about going to Mass once I left home… I am not sure what made me stop but in any case…, but … just a thought.

This made me chuckle! Thanks for the candid message!