Topic: Why can a decree of nullity process take so long?

Date originally posted: July 10, 2004

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Moderator who originally posted this source: Father Phillip

Question:  I've been married by a civil judge for 16yrs.Why is the annulment process still so lengthy?

Answer:

The process of applying for a degree of nullity is governed by universal norms throughout the Catholic Church. Then certain countries, the United States among them, have other requirements to safeguard the process which have been imposed by the Vatican. And then each local Bishop has the responsibility of creating a Tribunal -- which is the ministerial body for the particular diocese overseeing this process in that local area -- that fulfills these larger requirements as well as whatever decisions the local Bishop may have added for application in his own diocese AND which works within the limits of financial and personnel resources in that diocese. All of that means that the process of applying for a decree of nullity can be lengthy.

Many people have to be contacted. Witnesses, former spouses, sometimes specialists, and others often need to be given a chance for input. That input must be carefully and prayerfully weighed.

Usually the Tribunal office is understaffed and underpaid, so they can't work as fast as we might like them to. We have to respect the limits of their time.

Moreover, the Church wants the process to be thoughtfully undertaken. Declaring that a (putative) marriage is null and void is an ominous responsibility that the Church does not want to exercise too speedily. The Church wants to think and pray and consider all the data before rendering a judgment.

So, while I'm sure that it can be extremely frustrating, the process is usually a good one that can yield deeper understanding and greater trust in God.

Blessings as you pursue the process!