Catholic annulment question, again.........?

Question

I am in the midst of an annulment, what cost are inccured?
I am in the process of RCIA classes and I have been hearing things about this costing money, mind you NO ONE has come out and told us that this would cost any money at all. From what I am reading, the cost is based on your income and or ability to pay, will the church request our financial documents to base our cost on? I am hearing it is about $700.00 and both my hubby and I are seeking annulments and we just can drop $1400.00 on this. Why does it even cost money to join a church, and this on top of all the blessed paperwork that we have to do and the waiting. Why is it so hard to join the Catholic church?

Answer 1

Getting an declaration of nullity (annulment)and joining the Catholic church are two different things.

There is no cost for any Sacraments including the Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

A declaration of nullity is not a sacrament and is not required to join the Catholic Church although all previous marriages must be dealt with prior to marriage in the Catholic Church.

About the cost, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles states:

A Petitioner is responsible for only a portion of the costs of a case. The faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles substantially subsidize the operation of the Tribunal through their parish contributions. For efficiency, the office must be staffed with trained and qualified priests, canon lawyers, support staff and equipment, all of which is costly.

For a formal trial of invalidity, a Petitioner is asked to pay $500.00, which is payable as follows: a non-refundable filing fee of $100.00, and the balance of $400.00, in installments if necessary, upon final notice of an affirmative decision. The outcome of a case is not contingent upon a Petitioner's ability to pay the fee. If there is financial difficulty, a Petitioner should make this known to the Tribunal.

http://www.archdiocese.la/prayer/sacraments/tribunal/faq.html#13

With love and prayers in Christ.

Answer 2

They make it hard to join because they want people who actually believe. They want people who will invest their time and money into the church. I don't just mean by attending services and filling the collection pan. A church is a community. It doesn't work if people don't give of themselves.

As to annulment costs, I don't know but I suspect they will cost something. The church will normally trust you to tell the truth, so I imagine if you say you can only afford so much they will believe you. I don't think they will require income documents to prove it.

As to the previous poster, the Catholic Church has already announced that any children of a divorce/annulment are not affected. They do not become "bastard" children. The church isn't going to punish the kids if their parents decide to sin. (Regardless of how you feel about it, the church does not like divorce.)

Answer 3

I'm not Catholic (Thank GOD) so I can't say why they want payment for an annulment. I do know that my ex brother in law had to get one from his first wife so that he and his second wife could get married in the church. They almost didn't get it though because it was found out that the new wife to be was living with him at the time he filed for annullment and I guess that is a "no no" in the Catholic Church. So she had to move out of their house for three months before the church would grant his annullment from his first wife. Boggles the mind...but then the Pope wears red Prada Shoes so what can you expect huh?

Answer 4

I still find it interesting that previous marriages need to be annuled in order for the new couple to be married in the catholic church. My brother went through this and his first marriage produced a child...so getting "rid" of his first marriage does what to his daughter??? Can someone explain this to me? I'm all ears!

Answer 5

Run from that church!!