Pope Makes It Easier For Married Couples To Get Annulment
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Another big change for the Catholic Church. Weeks before Pope Francis embarks on his historic American tour, he's addressing the way annulments are handled by the church.
Marcus Washington has more on what Catholics are saying about the changes.
The annulment announcement comes just one week after the pope allowed priests to forgive women who have had abortions. Many people say this is just another way the pontiff is bringing the church to present times.
It's a new time for the Catholic Church, as Pope Francis makes it easier for married couples to get an annulment.
"I believe that what he's doing is what other popes have done, just a different approach," said Julia Vidmar.
Practicing Catholics outside the Baltimore Basilica address the change that now allows a fast track process, allowing local bishops to review applications if neither spouse is contesting the end of marriage. He's also making the annulment free.
Many practicing Catholics say while Pope Francis is making changes, the ideology is the same.
"I don't see it in any way as a change of doctrine. I see it just as a change in approach," said Vidmar.
An annulment is granted if deemed not valid. Some reasonings include both parties never intended the marriage to last or one does not desire having children.
"This is a way that they can, as practicing Catholics or come into Catholicism, can take communion or do some of the things previously that you couldn't do as a person in transition of divorce and to annulment," said Keith Pennick.
In the Catholic Church, marriage is not dissolvable, it's a life union, and an annulment is only allowed if things are considered not valid or exist in a way it should not in the eye of the Catholic Church.
The announcement comes a week after the pope announced he will allow priests to forgive women who have had abortions and seek absolution during the church's Holy Year of Mercy.
"It's not saying, 'Oh, it's fine.' It's just recognizing that these women can come and they can get healing from the church," said Vidmar.
It's a time of change in the church, and many believe this is a change needed to allow the church to grow.
The United States accounts for half of all the world's annulments each year.