PITTSBURGH — The Diocese of Pittsburgh is eliminating all fees for couples seeking an annulment, Bishop David Zubik announced Wednesday.
Zubik said the decision was in response to Pope Francis’ call to make annulments easier, and free.
“My staff and I have long dreamed of this move,” Zubik said in a letter to Catholics. “Our dear Pope Francis inspired us to act now. He has called for marriage tribunals to ‘do justice freely, as we have freely been forgiven by Jesus Christ.’ My hope is that this decision will enable many people to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church.”
An annulment process previously cost several hundred dollars, and while the diocese has waived fees in cases of financial need, the presence of the fees discouraged some from applying, according to church officials. The elimination of fees takes place immediately.
Pope Francis has called for dialogue at high-level synods on the subject of the family, including on ways to make the church more receptive to divorced and remarried persons.
“The sacraments are free,” Francis said in January. “ … I want so much for every process to be free of charge!”
Annulments come after a review by a church tribunal of a couple that has received a civil divorce. While the church teaches that sacramental marriage is eternal, if it’s determined there was never a spiritual bond between the couple, their marriage can be annulled and the persons can remarry. Without an annulment, the church says remarried persons cannot receive the sacraments.
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