Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 207.  Sat 12-19-92 16:22  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: John Vanderwyden
 Subject: declarations of nullity

SYSOP NOTE:
      This message was orignally posted 12-13-92.
      It contained errors and they are now corrected.
      Please excuse the original errors.
 
 
JV|Father, being a good Catholic, I always wish to respond to my "separated
  |brothers and sisters"  or good people who have left The Church.  Just the
  |other day, I was asked if anulment of marrage was considered a sacrament.
  |It seems that this individual was accusing The Church of selling the Blood
  |of Christ.  They were under the impression that nulment was a sacramental
  |experience in the church.  I explained how it was not a sacrament.  The
  |n they explained to me (this individual was a Catholic and left the
  |church) how they had received permission from the church for an annulment
  |but the Church wanted $9,000.00. for this anulment of marriage.  I have
  |heard other stories as well from members of my own family that I am trying
  |to reconcil with the Church.
 
JV|I asked my own brother if he was going to have his child baptized in the
  |Catholic Church.  He told me that he went to the church and spoke with the
  |Pastor and the required $500.00 for a baptism.  I don't know if he told me
  |this because he knows I am praying for his return and he trying discourage
  |me or it really happen.  I should add that my brother, (actually my whole
  |family) were all devote Catholics for many many years,  and have left the
  |church.  I myself left the church but returned with much stronger faith.
 
JV|Father , is there any truth to either of these stories, can the Church
  |ask $9000.00 for an annulment, under any circumstances.  This woman is a
  |single parrent now, and lives near me.  I go to church with her sister,
  |and we both prray for her return, but she always mentions this negitive
  |experiience when ever the subject is brought up.  Please help me clarifyt
  |the issue, in my own mind, so I might continue to be a effective witness
  |to this wonderful person.  Bless you Father.
 
 
Dear John,
 
When I read your message, I thought I had somehow dropped into the
Diocese of Oz.  Since we do not have marriages and baptisms in the
campus church where I work, I called the pastor of one of our
larger city churches for information.  I would think what he told me
is generally true of all American parishes.
 
First, declarations of nullity (or annulments) are legal instruments,
not religious acts, and certainly not sacraments.  In fact, an
annulment is about as unsacramental as you can get, because
it states that a marriage does not and never did exist at all because
of some defect in consent, form, or subject.
 
Before a declaration of nullity can be issued, there must be an
investigation conducted by the competent ecclesiastical court.
Investigations cost--there is postage, secretaries and typists to pay,
long-distance phone calls to make, witnesses to interview, and so
on.  The petitioner, of course, is asked to foot the bills.  In our
diocese, a deposit of $100 is requested before the investigation is
made to cover the costs.  The diocesan regulations specifically
provide that a petitioner who cannot afford to pay need not pay.  And
the regulations also provide that non-payment will not delay the
issuance of the decree of nullity, if it can be granted at all.
 
You write that your brother left the Church, but that he then went to
speak with his pastor about baptizing his child.  We do not baptize
children unless we are given moral certainty that the child will be
brought up Catholic in a Catholic home.  Undoubtedly, if your brother
talked to the pastor, he was told (mildly, I hope) that he must
"re-Catholicize" his home and family.  As far as making an offering
for Baptism in this diocese, that is left up to the parents or sponsors.
For marriages here, the rule-of-thumb is 500 dollars or 20% of the cost
of the flowers.)
 
I've been a priest 40 years, John, and I haven't gotten rich yet, so
let me be skeptical of your friends' and relatives' anecdotes.  Maybe
I should move to the Diocese of Oz!
 
                                        Sincerely in Christ,
                                                Father Mateo
 
 
 * OLX 2.1 TD * Cry out with joy and gladness;  for among you
                is the great and Holy One of Israel.