Suggested Reforms of the Annulment 'System'

 

The following reform- suggestions are those that we are most aware of; there are others. Let us know your suggestions.

1. The case histories in Sheila Rauch Kennedy's book are factual and are typical of Respondents who contact SOS. There is a great need for more branches of SOS throughout the United States.

2. The annulment process foists harm to the point of devastation upon Respondents and their children. This travesty must be brought out into the 'light' so that it can be addressed and stopped by the Vatican.

3. Information about the Appeal to the Rota must be make available to EVERY Respondent as soon as they meet with their advocate.

4. Every seminarian and canon law student would do well to meet with and listen to a Respondents' experiences.

5. The reality is that those in the Catholic hierarchy are fostering divorce by making annulment so easily attainable. They are advocating a form of 'Catholic divorce' which often causes more emotional harm to the individuals than the divorce itself!

6. An alternative to annulment is already 'in place'; it is called Internal Forum/ or the 'good conscience solution'. Informed-conscience is at the very core of the Catholic faith. Internal Forum is considered valid for remarriage and many priests throughout the world, and in the U.S. have been quietly remarrying divorced individuals via Internal Forum prior to and since Vatican II. Remarried individuals throughout the United States who have not entered into the annulment process are validly receiving communion and are Catholics in good standing with their pastors knowledge. They are mandated though, not to speak about the Internal forum process; the RC church hierarchy seems fond of secrets.

7. The public must be made aware that Protestants are being abused by this system; Protestants married by Protestant clergy are being told by Catholic clergy that the Protestant marriage is invalid! For SOS, this is one of the most shameful, scandalous aspects of annulment. The annulment process is destructive to ecumenical progress between the Christian faiths.

If you have nay comments or would like to add to this list of needed reforms, please email: sos@saveoursacrament.com.