Ascension Parish: First to hold Marriage Nullity Process seminar

The Ascension Parish Family and Life Ministry–Parish leaders, couples and young professionals Rev. Fr. Junar dela Victoria’s talk on “Bridging Family Life Programs to the Juridical Pastoral Service” on August 13, 2016 at the Bishop Tonel Hall.

Canon lawyer and the Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Davao, Fr. Junar said that this kind of seminar aims to equip the attendees like the parish leaders, with the necessary information and skills for them to help others who are undergoing such situations in their marriage.

This is also to respond to the direction of Pope Francis in providing legal and pastoral assistance for marriages in crisis; knowing how to discern between true marriages and the non-existence of marriage bonds; and gaining some skills in preparing couples who need assistance from the Church’s Tribunal.

“Annulment is a misnomer”, Fr. Junar emphasized in his talk. In the view of the church, the appropriate term to be used is Decree of Nullity or Declaration of Nullity. Quoting Pope John Paul II who said many years ago that only incapacity and not difficulty in giving consent and in realizing true communion of life and love invalidate a marriage. This he spoke to the Roma Rota (Supreme Court in Rome).

The speaker also provided valid grounds for declaration of nullity based on the principle of Matrimonium in Fiere (during the marriage) and Matrimonium in Facto Esse (the state of marriage life). With the open forum, the attendees’ curiosity were answered through clarifications given by Fr. Junar.

The Ascension of the Lord is the first parish in the archdiocese to receive this kind of seminar. (Regine Baguio | SoCCom)