CAGLIARI, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 22: Pope Francis delivers his speech during a meeting with young people on September 22, 2013 in Cagliari, Italy. Pope Francis heads to Cagliari on the Italian island of Sardinia for a pastoral visit that includes celebrating mass at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria. The Pope announced in May that he wished to visit the Marian Shrine of Bonaria or 'Good Air' because it gave his hometown of Buenos Aires its name. During his 10-hour visit to the city of Cagliari, the Pope will also meet workers, business representatives, prisoners, the poor, young people, leading representatives from the world of culture and the island's Catholic bishops. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

Pope Francis Eases Rules On Divorce & Remarriage

September 8, 2015 News, Religion

The BBC reports:

Pope Francis has unveiled reforms intended to make it easier for Roman Catholics to get annulments and remarry within the Church. The Church does not recognise divorce, teaching that marriage is forever. In order to separate, Catholics must have their marriage annulled by showing it was flawed from the outset. The radical reforms allow access to procedures free of charge and fast track decisions, as well as removing automatic appeals. Until now the procedures have been seen as arcane, expensive and bureaucratic. Catholics seeking an annulment previously needed approval from two Church tribunals. The reforms will reduce this to one, although appeals will still be allowed. The new fast-track procedure will allow bishops to grant annulments directly if both spouses request it. Due to their complicated nature, couples normally require experts to guide them through annulment procedures, meaning that gaining one can be expensive. Without an annulment, Catholics who divorce and marry again are considered adulterers and are not allowed to receive communion

(Tipped by JMG reader Luis)