Pope to issue decrees on marriage annulment tomorrow

[cappie]

Pope Francis eases annulment process ‘for good of souls’

http://cvcomment.org/2015/09/08/pope-francis-eases-annulment-process-for-good-of-souls/

[Benedictus]

The process was desperate for reform and I think this intervention is to be welcomed. People had increasingly given up on the process. Hopefully this will go some way to reengaging those who need to start and finish the process. If more people used it then the debate about the divorced and remarried would be placated, at least to some extent. The process simply needs to work, be just and give a swift outcome.

I'm surprised though that the issue was dealt with before the synod. I suspected the synod would maybe end up focusing too much on annulment, be it advocated as a solution by some or as too limited in scope of reform by others. Seems the Pope wanted the issue off the table and to place the synod within the context of this decision. I won't call it a preemptive action, but a good strategic move. The various factions were probably redrawing their battle plans as soon as the notice went out though.