Friday, April 19, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
OGDENSBURG – The Diocese of Ogdensburg is dropping the fees it has been charging for marriage annulments, according to a statement from Bishop Terry R. LaValley. An annulment is an official …
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OGDENSBURG – The Diocese of Ogdensburg is dropping the fees it has been charging for marriage annulments, according to a statement from Bishop Terry R. LaValley.
An annulment is an official declaration by the Roman Catholic Church that a previous marriage is not spiritually binding, and removes that previous marriage as a barrier to an individual remarrying in the church. Annulments are only granted after a civil divorce has been final and there is no possibility of reconciliation between the parties, the statement says.
LaValley issued a policy that eliminates fees to individuals seeking an annulment through the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. The new policy will be effective as of June 1.
LaValley said the move was inspired by remarks of Pope Francis and was supported by the Priest Council of the diocese. “Pope Francis called on bishops to consider this move,” said LaValley. “The Pope asked us to show mercy and justice generously and freely, as Jesus does for each one of us.”
He said the diocese had tried to keep the fees for an annulment as low as possible. They had ranged from $50 to $400, but no petition was ever denied because of the inability to pay the fee, the bishop said.
“This new policy makes it clear that the focus of the Marriage Tribunal is and always has been to help people to heal and move forward with their lives,” he said.
According to the statement, the fee was far less than the actual cost of the worked involved in an annulment, which includes the employment of lawyers and other experts, salaries for office personnel and office expenses.
“Practically speaking, there are significant costs associated with the work of the Marriage Tribunal, but I do not want finances to be a barrier to the spiritual well-being of anyone,” said LaValley.
“I hope people will approach the Tribunal without any hesitation due to financial considerations,” he said. “The work of the Tribunal has always been to serve the needs of people, helping them to grow closer to God. I hope this new policy simply emphasizes that fact.”
