Skip to content

Forty Catholic dioceses in effective schism?

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes

November 17, 2014 - 7:32 PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

ROCKY RIVER, OH (November 17, 2014) - At the Vatican, one of the results of the recent synod of bishops was an announcement that they are looking into streamlining the annulment process, making it more accessible and less costly. Plus, some voted to further investigate the practice of denying Holy Communion to those in so-called second marriages. See "Relatio Synodi" item 48, 52 and 53

In a compelling sermon recorded by AudioSancto.org, an articulate Catholic priest who asked to remain anonymous, declared that many tribunals in the United States have scandalous annulment practices because they don't uphold marriage at all - and actually encourage divorce. His 36-minute long sermon "What God has Joined Together" is available on Video Sancto's YouTube channel, www.AudioSancto.org, and Romans10Seventeen.org.
http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20141019-What-God-Has-Joined-Together.html

Audio Sancto explains that they will not identify the priest, "because they have duties and responsibilities as priests to care for the souls of the Faithful entrusted to them. By remaining unidentified, their attention for their flock won't be divided by folks outside of their parish who might seek them out for questions rather than going to their local priests."

Official Catholic teaching has always been that marriage is permanent and to enter a so-called second marriage is a serious sin and those in serious sin cannot partake in Holy Communion. Getting an annulment is important, because if the first marriage was really not a marriage at all, then there is nothing wrong with entering a second marriage.

An annulment is the popular name for a formal decree issued by a Catholic tribunal concluding, after an investigation, that a marriage was invalid. Just like a civil contract could be invalid if it was entered due to one party's fraud, so a church marriage contract would be invalid if it was entered because one party lied about an essential element of marriage, such as being open to children (c. 1101). In the civil arena, those with serious menial illness might be found unable to make lawfully binding contracts, so too with the church system. A person that lacks the use of reason could not entry a valid Catholic wedding either (c. 1095.1).

While serving as the Prefect of the Catholic Church's highest tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, Cardinal Raymond Burke, in and interview on ETWN's The World Over, said sometimes "there are tribunals who are abusive and giving easy declarations of nullity." See YouTube.

Citing statistics published by the Canon Law Society of America, the anonymous priest's sermon points out that 40 U.S. tribunals granted annulments to 100% of those who asked for them. He names the dioceses in 2011 that issued annulments 100% of the times for the highest number of marriages: Los Angeles, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. He also names the diocese that upheld the validity of marriage the most: St. Paul/Minneapolis, Colorado Springs, and Ft. Wayne/South Bend and thereafter raises a simple point.

In his homily, as recorded by AudioSancto.org, the priest said "So two possibilities spring to mind. Either the people that live and get married in St. Paul or Minneapolis or Colorado Springs or Fort Wayne or South Bend are significantly different than all the other American couples - significantly different- or the tribunals are significantly different. I don't think you need me to point out to you which is more likely." See YouTube, minute 20:07

In the sermon, the anonymous priest also cites statistics from U.S. cases that were appealed to the tribunals at the Vatican's appellate tribunal (Roman Rota). In the early 1990's, studies over a ten-year period showed that over 90 percent of the defective consent cases, were overturned by the Roman Rota. Defective consent is a popular basis for granting annulments used by U.S. tribunals that according to Saint John Paul II, is applicable to those suffering from grave psychic anomalies or mental illness (can. 1692.2).

In a 2012 canon law dissertation endorsed by Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs, author Fr. Jaime Ponce found cases wherein U.S. tribunals erroneously based their decision on expert testimony of psychologists who were making alleged diagnosis that were not supported by the facts in the case. In these situations, Fr. Ponce showed that the U.S. tribunal decisions were overturned by the Roman Rota. In his introductory comments, Fr. Ponce describes how, in some diocese, there is a strong pro-nullity mentality. See Spero News.

"A former Judicial Vicar cautiously stated that his bishop had removed him from his position as Judicial Vicar because he would not comply with the request of his diocese. The request was to grant over 95% of annulments of all the cases that arrived to his diocesan tribunal. He stated that in good conscience he could not do this, and that he could not grant a decree of nullity, automatically, to anybody who applied for it. Therefore, for this simple matter, he was removed from his position. He defended the sanctity of marriage, and yet, he was sanctioned for doing so."

In the anonymous priest's sermon on Audio Sancto, he says "American tribunals actually require a civil divorce before in spite of the fact that he bible says that the Lord hates divorce, the code of canon law requires the bishop's permission to approach the divorce court."

He added, "Given that annulments are not considered until after a civil divorce, its obvious that the prospect of an easy annulment could encourage couples who are having a tough time in their marriage to break up. And what could possibly be more encouraging to that end than these annulment mills that just pump out a decree of annulment 100% of the time. It is scandalous. It is easy to see how someone could think, "Hey, if there are so many invalid marriages, maybe my marriage wasn't valid either." And to the very degree that this sort of impression becomes more widespread in the general Catholic population, to that very same degree, the stability and security of everybody's marriages are weakened. This just shakes and undermines the foundations."

Spero columnist Bai Mcfarlane is the founder of MarysAdvocates.org

Contact

Mary's Advocates
http://www.speroforum.com/a/XXTCAHLNKK39/75331-Forty-Catholic-dioceses-in-effective-schism
OH, 44116 US
Bai Macfarlane - ,

Keywords

Marriage, divorce, annulment, pope francis, family, vatican, synod

Category

US Archdiocese & Diocese

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 7,177

When Pope Francis Arrives in North America, There is Only One Network to Watch: EWTN Global Catholic
EWTN Global Catholic Network
September 16, 2015 - 5:17 PDT

GHIRELLI'S WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES ROSARIES NOW AVAILABLE
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
September 11, 2015 - 11:44 PDT

The Synod on the Family: Addressing the Instrumentum Laboris
Franciscan University of Steubenville
September 11, 2015 - 10:26 PDT

OCP Artist, Pedro Rubalcava, Writes Song for Pope Francis' Visit
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
September 10, 2015 - 2:50 PDT

Pre-Synod Conference unites Cardinals and men and women living with homosexual tendencies
September 09, 2015 - 2:58 PDT

The Rigging of a Vatican Synod
September 02, 2015 - 3:44 PDT

17 Cardinals and Counting
August 31, 2015 - 3:38 PDT

19th Annual Carnival Announced for St. Ann's Parish
August 28, 2015 - 9:20 PDT

The John Paul II International Film Festival Marks Its Five-Year Anniversary
August 27, 2015 - 6:09 PDT

OCP Pledges to Support the V Encuentro
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 27, 2015 - 2:51 PDT

Thu, Sept 24, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Angelos Sebastian Our Lady of Grace Catholic Chu
August 26, 2015 - 4:03 PDT

Grief, Death, Eternal Life Explored in New Catholic Title by PBM
Pauline Books & Media
August 25, 2015 - 3:55 PDT

How do we live the truth in love when the culture says we're haters?
August 25, 2015 - 9:52 PDT

Right Next to Disneyland: Theater Meets Faith
Saint Luke Productions
August 19, 2015 - 1:29 PDT

OCP Parish Grant Program to Distribute $200,000 to U.S. Parishes
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
August 18, 2015 - 1:23 PDT

Franciscan University Joins With UK School to Offer Online Master of Catechetics Degree
Franciscan University of Steubenville
August 05, 2015 - 2:20 PDT

CONOR GALLAGHER NAMED PUBLISHER OF TAN BOOKS AND SAINT BENEDICT PRESS
Saint Benedict Press & TAN Books
July 20, 2015 - 12:49 PDT

Thérčse Drama Surprises Audiences
Saint Luke Productions
July 16, 2015 - 12:35 PDT

Catholic Press Association Honors Liguori
Liguori Publications
July 10, 2015 - 8:29 PDT

Crosier Order elects master general and councilors
June 26, 2015 - 2:06 PDT

World Library Publications Honored With Three Paul Revere Awards
World Library Publications
June 23, 2015 - 4:11 PDT

Indie Catholic Authors June Ebook Sale Offers the Faithful 17 Books Outside the Mainstream
Four Waters press
June 23, 2015 - 12:10 PDT

Limitless Love in Action: First Steubenville Youth Conference Inspires Teens to Bring the Fire Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
June 18, 2015 - 2:03 PDT

Franciscan University of Steubenville Athletic Director Enshrined in Sports Faith Hall of Fame
Franciscan University of Steubenville
May 29, 2015 - 1:53 PDT

AWARD-WINNING CATHOLIC AUTHORS TEAM-UP TO PROMOTE HEALING THROUGH FORGIVENESS
Pauline Books & Media
May 27, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

NY CONCERT FOR NEPAL 5/31
May 27, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

Who's responsible for designing the designer?
May 19, 2015 - 11:12 PDT

Thu, Jun 11, 2015- Mass & Healing Service with Fr. Bill Adams at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
May 13, 2015 - 4:21 PDT

Your search for true happiness is over
May 05, 2015 - 1:22 PDT

ValLimar Jansen's latest album "a soulful experience"
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
April 30, 2015 - 1:33 PDT

Uncovering the roots (and branches) of the greatest revolution in the American Catholic Church
April 28, 2015 - 9:45 PDT

NYC May 8, 2015 Spring Fling Catholic Singles Mingle Fundraiser
The Catholic Fellowship
April 18, 2015 - 9:07 PDT

Thank A Nun Day
Image Books/Random House
April 15, 2015 - 12:32 PDT

#TweetingwGod dares young people to believe
April 14, 2015 - 9:54 PDT

Experience Beloved: Finding happiness in marriage
April 13, 2015 - 1:27 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts to participate in 'Beloved' telepress conference
April 07, 2015 - 4:51 PDT

Nobis Media, Marketing & Web Development Company
April 01, 2015 - 5:49 PDT

Catholic toymaker puts Faith in hands and mouths of babies: Pope Francis doll added to line of toys
The Word Out | Marketing For Catholics
April 01, 2015 - 3:48 PDT

Concert Series Concludes with Winthrop University World Percussion Ensemble
April 01, 2015 - 2:48 PDT

Birth Choice Health Clinics Announces Transition to Obria Medical Clinics and Plans for Expansion
March 28, 2015 - 10:43 PDT

OCP releases expanded edition of Mass of the Sacred Heart
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 24, 2015 - 4:43 PDT

Archbishop Aquila, Dr. Edward Sri and other experts participate in 'Beloved' tele-press conference
March 21, 2015 - 11:57 PDT

Priest and Seminarian Join National Three-Point Contest to Benefit Marriage Ministry
Paradisus Dei
March 13, 2015 - 10:20 PDT

Shroud of Turin Exhibit At Holy Spirit Brighton
Holy Spirit Catholic Church and School
March 12, 2015 - 3:58 PDT

Flor y Canto campaign invites the Hispanic community to share their stories
OCP (Oregon Catholic Press)
March 11, 2015 - 4:40 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 10, 2015 - 6:36 PDT

Crisis Pregnancy Center Dream Becoming Reality
TRFC Inc.
March 09, 2015 - 7:04 PDT

Join RealOptions 2015 Walk for Life and 5K Run!
RealOptions Pregnancy Medical Clinics
March 09, 2015 - 2:40 PDT

New Orchestra Comes to Mary's Nativity Church
March 09, 2015 - 12:06 PDT

Paradisus Dei Offers New Marriage Program to Churches at No Cost
Paradisus Dei
March 05, 2015 - 6:25 PST

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Advent / Christmas 2024

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.