Why do I have to fight for my rights? Canon Law lays down specific guidelines on annulment procedures. Am I alone in having these respondant rights taken away from me? Finally, I had to get an excellent Canon Lawyer to outline many instances where my rights were violated (copies to the Vatican). The First Instance Decision was a complete mess (I think, I was not allowed to see the sentence) as I received it after sending registered letters to the Judicial Vicar, etc asking that I get a list of advocates, asking that I be allowed to view the "Publication of the Acts", asking that I be allowed to give a signed statement about our marriage, etc, etc, .............. I didn't even receive one reply from the Diocese. Hey!, these are supposed to be "Men of God", seems like they are just ordinary people. Are they "forced" into behaving like this! Dave

-- David Neil (summertime@ns.sympatico.ca), July 25, 2004

Answers

Bump to New Answers to invite comment.

-- (bump@bump.bump), July 26, 2004.

David,

You are encountering a local corruption in the Church based on a policy decision made years ago. Don't expect justice locally. It does not exist there. Although they are wrong, those people think they are doing God's will. You cannot reason with them.

Accept the fact that you live in an imperfect world and it will be easier for you to find peace with it. Fortunately, your injustice is limited to one small aspect of your life. Just be grateful you don't live in Cuba or North Korea.

Say a prayer for help in not thinking about it. Justice will come eventually as the process unfolds. In the meantime, go find something else fulfilling. Look for ways to live a good life outside of dealing with the marriage situation.

In time this situation will correct itself. Catholics as a whole are becoming aware of the problem. Take a look at the most recent issue of Crisis Magazine. Its all about how many marriages among very faithful Catholics are being destroyed by the availability of illegitimate annulments.

In the same issue, is a great article about how Vatican II is gradually becoming implemented after the corruption of the "renewal" movement. The Church, as a body, matures gradually. Your job in the interim is to be a beacon of truth and light. Don't let Satan pull you down in anger or despair. This is your opportunity to shine in the darkness.

Peace.

-- Pat Delaney (pat@patdelaney.net), July 26, 2004.

These types of posts have been repeatedly discussed.

The bottomline is that an individual case must be addressed by a tribunal (or even the Rota) as an individual case.

The problem here is that there is a deliberate attempt to undermine the confidence of the tribunal process.

David and Pat, This is wrong. You cannot continue with these methods.

I will continue to pray for your individual circumstances, but please stop this public farce.

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), July 26, 2004.

-I would not classify this subject matter as a farce...

I am strongly in agreement with Pat on this subject and I speak from experience... The masses with experience that counters what has posted must just be shy or something... I tend to believe that Truth does not hide in the shadows...

Considering the numerous Tribunal petitions and nullity declarations granted etc etc -why are details never discussed? Is Love, Joy & Truth to be secreted away? I ask -- where are the all the beautiful souls loudly proclaiming Love, Joy & Truth at the conclusion of it all??? hmmm....

Let them come forth and proclaim Truth...

These posts are in the public and open to all and any to question and comment on -unlike the specific erroneous Tribunal machinations that are discussed...

Daniel////

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), July 26, 2004.

But, what is happening is doing more harm than good. What I have seen here many times is deflected anger.

Many people who have gone through a civil divorce leave the Church and the sacraments thinking erroneously that they can no longer be a part of the Church.

Modern life is complicated. There is a much wider grey area.

If a person truly wants to do right, they should have a marriage reviewed by a tribunal.

Questioning tribunals only adds to the problem and turns people away.

Reconciliation was what Jesus preached, not condemnation.

The tribunal process is arduous, but worth it in the long run.

God bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), July 27, 2004.

"Modern life is complicated. There is a much wider grey area."

ONLY if one is confused and distanced from Truth... e.g. modernism, moral relativism, humanism...

"Reconciliation was what Jesus preached, not condemnation"

-I assume your point applies only to reconciliation of the relationship of an individual to the Church? OR -- do you also espouse reconciliation of a marital relationship assumed valid RATHER than pursuit of condemnation by 'pastoral' action and erroneous tribunal delaration? At what point should our Church abandon a marital relationship -when both spouses give up, when one gives up - ever? hmmm...

Daniel////

-- Daniel Hawkenberry (dlm@catholic.org), July 27, 2004.