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S.O.S. Goals


S.O.S. Support Goals:

  1. To provide counseling to Respondents in the "First Instance" level who are currently facing the annulment process


  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 (see S.R. Kennedy's book and "Daughter of Annulment on the SOS Website page). Annulled marriages decree that children are NOT part of a sacramental marriage!


  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


S.O.S. Reform Goals:

  1. To call 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 "Ecumenical/ Other Denominations" 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 foster civil litigation against Tribunal-employed mental health professionals


  6. To hold regional conferences and workshops in the future regarding Respondent-empowering ways of dealing with the annulment system.