Divorce free of charge and no-fault from today
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 @ 8:24 PM
DIVORCE will be free of charge from today (Tuesday) as well as much quicker and easier in all Catholic countries, which include Spain.
The doctrine of Motu Proprio ('own reasons') has been brought into effect by Pope Francisco I in his capacity as Mitis Iudix Dominus Iesus (Lord Jesus Judge Clement).
This Church law introduces three new elements – agreement on both sides will no longer have to be legally declared; the Bishop is able to carry out divorces; and, most importantly, annulling marriage vows pronounced in the Catholic Church will no longer cost any money.
Around 400 divorce applications of unions sealed by the Church have been received by the Catholic family court, the Tribunal de la Rota, so far in 2015 – a figure very similar to last year, which saw a total of 416 divorce proceedings started and 488 marriages annulled under Catholic law.
In 70% of these cases, the marriage was declared null and void.
Dean of the Tribunal de la Rota, Carlos Morán, said the Motu Proprio doctrine was not aimed at 'encouraging' divorces, but at making the process easier on those who have already decided their marriage is beyond saving, and will break down barriers which have hitherto made it almost impossible for some couples to go their separate ways.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com