Pope Francis reforms marriage annulment

In a letter to believers, Pope Francis said that annulments would no longer require approval by two church tribunals. The Argentinean pontiff announced that a streamlined procedure was to be introduced, requiring only one tribunal for the most straightforward cases, where both spouses agreed on the annulment. He also removed automatic appeals, calling for the entire process to be completed within 45 days.

Francis further added that the procedures, which can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees, should be free of charge. The reform was keenly awaited by many couples around the world who have divorced and remarried outside the Church.

Most substantial reform in nearly 300 years

The head of the Roman Catholic Church issued the new decree on Tuesday, regulating how bishops around the world were to determine when a fundamental flaw had made a marriage invalid. The reforms are regarded as the most substantial changes to Catholic marriage annulment procedures since Benedict XIV, who was pope from 1740-1758.

Catholic couples must have their marriage annulled if they wish to remarry in the Church. The process had long been criticized for being complicated, costly and out of reach for many Catholics.

An annulment, formally known as a "decree of nullity," is a ruling that a marriage was not valid according to Church law because certain prerequisites, such as free will, psychological maturity and openness to having children, were lacking.

Pope Francis has also signaled a willingness to relax Catholic Church practices. He had previously commented on the morality of separation and the integration of divorcees in the Church.

Last week, the pope allowed priests to absolve women who have had abortions, if they sought forgiveness – under the premise that the ritual could be performed during the Church's Jubilee Year, which starts on December 8.

ss/kms (AFP, AP, Reuters)