News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Pope-Francis-Main_article_image.jpg
Pope Francis - Copyright AGF s.r.l. / REX
World News

Pope wants Church annulment simplified

The Holy Father appointed a group of theologians and lawyers on Saturday to help Catholics separate more easily.

There is an ongoing battle on the issue at the Vatican between liberals and conservatives.

Currently, Catholics can ask for an annulment of their marriage in the eyes of the Church if they can prove that it was never valid in the first place.

If they opt for a civil divorce and remarry, they can be seen to be living in sin and refused Holy Communion.

Francis ordered the procedure to be simplified, "making it more streamlined, while safeguarding the principle of the indissolubility of marriage".

Pope Francis has not openly agreed with either side of the debate on divorced Catholics, but he did warn last week against "codifying faith in rules and instructions as did the scribes, the Pharisees and the doctors of law in the time of Jesus".

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate