Annulments

One of the things that was discussed at the recent Synod was the need to streamline the process for granting annulments.  Amen to that.  Having been involved in the annulment process for over forty years, I know of what I speak.  Part of the delay is due to the speed, or lack thereof, of a particular tribunal. Some  cases I have submitted to our own tribunal in Fall River have taken over two years.  That is too long.  At other times the delay is due to the need to wait a period of time before going from one stage to the next.  If the "other party" or respondent ignores the tribunal's request for direction, you have to wait a month before moving on to the next stage.  When one has some experience in interviewing a petitioner, you almost always know from that point if the marriage is null or not.  Maybe one of the changes that can be made is to handle these things administratively rather than judicially.  In any event, a committee has been formed to study this matter and I wish them well

Monsignor Daniel F. Hoye