Cleveland Catholic Diocese ends fees for marriage annulments
Bishop Richard Lennon: “This is an effort to promote the common good for the faithful of Cleveland.” (Marvin Fong / The Plain Dealer)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In a gesture that reaches out to divorced and remarried Catholics, the Cleveland Catholic Diocese announced on Wednesday that it will stop charging fees for marriage annulments.
Bishop Richard Lennon said he made the decision to "encourage greater participation in the life of the church" by Catholics in "irregular marital situations, such as divorce and remarriage."
Catholics who have remarried without an annulment are not permitted to receive the sacrament of communion.
"This is an effort to promote the common good for the faithful of Cleveland," Lennon said in a statement.
The cost of an annulment has generally been about $450, according to the diocese. It will now be assumed by the diocesan marriage tribunal. Fees associated with annulments vary, but most tribunals in the United States charge between $200 and $1,000, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The elimination of annulment fees begins immediately. For petitioners already in the process and awaiting a final decision, remaining balances are being waived.
The process can vary among dioceses, but often can take 12 to 18 months, according to the bishops conference.
The statement from the Cleveland diocese said the new policy includes all types of annulment cases. It also includes dispensations and permissions, such as those for marriage in a non-Catholic rite or church or a mixed marriage.
Last year, 512 cases went before the diocesan marriage tribunal, according to the Cleveland diocese.
Church policies on separated and divorced Catholics will likely be a major focus of the synod of bishops that will convene in Rome in October, addressing the theme of the family.
Lennon's announcement noted that Pope Francis "has already talked about the general need for mercy in the church today, suggesting that 'Pastors should search for ways to minister to divorced and separated Catholics so that they do not feel excluded from the mercy of God.'"
Annulment, which is required for a divorced Catholic before re-marrying, declares that a marriage thought to be valid according to church law actually was missing something that the church requires for a binding union.
Bishop Richard Lennon said he made the decision to "encourage greater participation in the life of the church" by Catholics in "irregular marital situations, such as divorce and remarriage."
Catholics who have remarried without an annulment are not permitted to receive the sacrament of communion.
"This is an effort to promote the common good for the faithful of Cleveland," Lennon said in a statement.
The cost of an annulment has generally been about $450, according to the diocese. It will now be assumed by the diocesan marriage tribunal. Fees associated with annulments vary, but most tribunals in the United States charge between $200 and $1,000, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The elimination of annulment fees begins immediately. For petitioners already in the process and awaiting a final decision, remaining balances are being waived.
The process can vary among dioceses, but often can take 12 to 18 months, according to the bishops conference.
The statement from the Cleveland diocese said the new policy includes all types of annulment cases. It also includes dispensations and permissions, such as those for marriage in a non-Catholic rite or church or a mixed marriage.
Last year, 512 cases went before the diocesan marriage tribunal, according to the Cleveland diocese.
Church policies on separated and divorced Catholics will likely be a major focus of the synod of bishops that will convene in Rome in October, addressing the theme of the family.
Lennon's announcement noted that Pope Francis "has already talked about the general need for mercy in the church today, suggesting that 'Pastors should search for ways to minister to divorced and separated Catholics so that they do not feel excluded from the mercy of God.'"
Annulment, which is required for a divorced Catholic before re-marrying, declares that a marriage thought to be valid according to church law actually was missing something that the church requires for a binding union.
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