Statement of the Diocese of Corpus Christi on reforms of annulment process

Pope Francis today made known several procedural reforms to the process by which the validity of marriage is investigated. These are to take effect later this year on Dec. 8, which is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the beginning of the Year of Mercy.*

These reforms do not change in any way the consistent Catholic teaching on marriage, which continues to hold firmly that a valid, consummated marriage is indissoluble until death. Rather, these represent a compassionate response of the Church to those who wish to know whether or not they had validly entered into marriage.

The declaration of nullity procedure (popularly called the "annulment" process), is a process by which the Catholic Church investigates whether or not a marriage was validly entered into from the beginning. The purpose of Pope Francis' procedural changes is to make the process more effective and accessible so that, in charity and mercy, the parties can know definitively whether they had validly entered into marriage.

Determination of whether a marriage was validly entered into from the beginning continues to be based on settled principles regarding the nature of marriage. Among the reforms to the process is the possibility for certain cases to be determined by the diocesan bishop, the use of local parish personnel to assist in the process and the elimination of a mandatory appeal of an affirmative decision. Pope Francis also underscores the necessity of a judge to reach moral certainty before a decision can be rendered.

In communion with the Holy Father and under the direction of Bishop Michael
Mulvey, the Diocese of Corpus Christi will be implementing these important procedural changes. In addition, the Diocese of Corpus Christi will continue building its outreach to marriage and family life, including ministering to separated and divorced Catholics. It is our hope to offer the love of Jesus Christ to all in this coming Year of Mercy and after.

(*The first document entitled Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus ("The Meek Judge, the Lord Jesus") applies to Latin Rite Catholics. The second document entitled Mitis Et Misericors Iesus ("The Meek and Merciful Jesus") applies to Eastern Rite Catholics.)