The problem with annulments is deeper than the corruption of the tribunal system in the United States. A profound lack of formation and even courage is at the root of it all.
Substantially more annulments are granted in the United States than in any other country of the world. The numbers are so high that some time ago the Roman Rota established a special low price for anyone who will make a “second instance” appeal to Rome from the United States. This discount is not available anywhere else.
The reasons for the high annulment rate are many, and they include the incompetence characteristic of the entire canonical establishment in America, which frequently relies on badly-trained volunteers to serve as advocates and procurators, and is ultimately managed by those who know very little about canonical process. The Roman Rota overturns roughly two-thirds of the appeals brought before it, often because of incompetent counsel or improper procedure.
But the larger issue is that almost nobody appeals a declaration of nullity. After all, nullity is usually what both parties really want. It is precisely for this reason that the Church has always appointed a defender of the marriage bond. (more...)
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