SOS Goals

An expanded list of our SOS Goals:

S.O.S. Support Goals

1. To provide advice to Respondents who are currently facing the annulment process at the “Court of First Instance" level

2. To work with Respondents at the "Second Instance" level on their Appeal process to the Vatican Rota in Rome [Canon Law 1628)] (See "Canon Law" page)

3. To support the reopening of past annulment cases by those who have experienced the 'tribunal-abuse' of having their marriage sacrament declared "null" [Canon Laws 1641-1644, 1732-1739]

4. To raise awareness of the devastation that children, both young and adult, experience as a result of annulment when tribunals decree that children are NOT part of a sacramental marriage! (see our web-page "Daughter of Annulment").

5. To provide information to Respondents who are considering legal action against tribunal-employed lay counselors who act unethically regarding diagnosis of Respondents

6. To provide education and resources, usually not given out by tribunals, to all interested including members of the clergy and women religious who recognize tribunal-bias against Respondents

7. To offer a yearly gathering of Respondents willing to work on developing empowering ways of dealing effectively with the annulment process

S.O.S. Reform Goals

1. To call public attention to the hypocrisy permeating the U.S. tribunal system

2. To raise the awareness of both Catholics and non-Catholics that Protestants, validly married by Protestant clergy, are told their marriage is annulled by the tribunal (see "Other Denominations / Ecumenical " page)

3. To provide education regarding the need to abolish annulments; God's grace is present in marriages that end in divorce. SOS calls the Vatican to the reality that annulment is 'Catholic Divorce'.

4. To request those in the Vatican to formally institute the "Internal Forum" process (the 'good-conscience-decision') as a replacement for annulment. Informed conscience is foundational to the Catholic faith. Pastoral priests throughout the U.S. are quietly using the 'I.F.' process, if asked. (See "Internal Forum" page) .

5. To work on civil litigation against Tribunal-employed mental health professionals

When Respondents communicate with a caring, non-judgmental, SOS Advisor they:

  • feel empowered to deal with the current reality of annulment
  • gain perspective on past experiences of the annulment process
  • gain strength which can lead toward closure
  • feel less alone


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