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These Last Days News - September 18, 2015

Canon Lawyer: We’re Heading for ‘Catholic Divorces’...

"The Eternal Father has given mankind a set of rules, and in discipline they must be obeyed.  It behooves Me to say that My heart is torn by the actions, the despicable actions, of My clergy.  I unite, as your God, man and woman into the holy state of matrimony.  And what I have bound together no man must place asunder.  And what do I see but broken homes, marriages dissolved through annulments! It has scandalized your nation, and it is scandalizing the world.  Woe to the teachers and leaders who scandalize the sheep!" - Jesus, May 3, 1978

CatholicHerald.co.uk reported on September 17, 2015 :

by Benedict Nguyen

Pope Francis’s apostolic letter Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus, released last week, proposes major changes to the way the Church issues declarations of matrimonial nullity. Many respected canon lawyers and commentators are expressing grave concerns about the text as they study it more carefully. I join my voice to the growing number who are apprehensive. In my view, some changes run the risk of doing more harm than good, creating more confusion than clarity about the truth of marriage and the purpose of the declaration of nullity process.

The most significant proposed change in Mitis Iudex is the creation of the “shortened procedure” whereby marriage cases are given to the diocesan bishop to decide himself in a sort of administrative fiat. This highly problematic change raises serious questions and grave confusion.

Extremely busy diocesan bishops, including those who may not have training in marriage law, will be asked to decide potentially hundreds of canonical marriage cases each year by relying almost solely on the report of assessors who themselves may not be canon lawyers. This is supposed to “streamline” the process. Yet practically it is difficult to see how this could possibly be so without the diocesan bishop either rubber-stamping decisions without consideration or rushing through them at the expense of thoroughness. Either would be an injustice.

Canon law already uses a shorter “documentary process” for cases involving a lack of capacity to marry (canons 1073-1094) and a lack or defect of canonical form (canons 1108-1123). For the third kind of marriage cases – those involving defect of consent (canons 1095-1107), which use the “formal marriage procedure” – Mitis Iudex will now allow the new “shorter process” to be used where these cases seem to be null “by particularly evident arguments”.

This is where the problems begin. How would such “evident arguments” be properly considered before an appropriate process?

What Mitis Iudex has effectively done is overturn in practice the all-important principle found in canon 1060, where marriage is presumed to be valid until proven otherwise. In allowing the shorter process for cases deemed to be null “by particularly evident arguments”, Mitis Iudex is allowing a sort of pre-judgment of a marriage as null before a process is even selected.

The result is that some marriages will be presumed invalid even before the process starts. This runs directly against the presumption of validity required by justice, logic and canon 1060. Mitis Iudex has created a situation where marriages are presumed to be invalid and that validity must now be proven. This is tantamount to adopting a “guilty until proven innocent” approach and will be detrimental to the notion of the indissolubility of marriage.

Worse, Article 14 of the “Procedural Rules” attached to Mitis Iudex gravely adds to the confusion. Article 14 presents a jumbled, inconclusive list of principles and situations that may warrant a request for the shorter process. These examples range from merely difficult marriage situations to some that are actually canonical grounds for a declaration of nullity.

Article 14 will cause two unfortunate errors: the belief that a marriage in one of these situations is invalid even before proper investigation, and the fallacy that some of these are new grounds for invalidity. These errors will be used or misunderstood as justification for easy annulments, creating in effect “Catholic divorces”. In fact, no less a figure than Dr Kurt Martens, professor of canon law at the Catholic University of America, has decried the expedited process and these situations as “providing a path that looks like the Catholic version of no-fault divorce”.

The second major change proposed in Mitis Iudex is the elimination of the required review by a second instance appellate tribunal. Some see the review as an extra step that is redundant, unnecessarily delaying the final outcome. While many have seen this change as positive, I believe that we will lose valuable pastoral and historical wisdom that the Church has applied to marriage cases.

The purpose of the review is to help keep local tribunal judges close to the case from being careless or manipulative and to check them if they are. The idea is to help to ensure that the proper procedure is used and that judges make a properly objective decision.

Dropping the mandatory review was already briefly allowed in the past – with dreadful results. From 1971 to 1983, the so-called “American Provisional Norms” were allowed on an experimental basis for tribunals in the United States where a dispensation from the mandatory appeal was granted when it seemed superfluous. The result was that very few cases during those years were ever reviewed in second instance.

Scrutinising those 12 years, the Apostolic Signatura, the Church’s highest judicial authority, expressed concerns regarding not only the way some local tribunals handled certain marriage cases but also that cases clearly needing to be appealed were never actually appealed by the parties, the defender of the bond or the Ordinary.

With this experience in mind, the current universal Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 maintained the second instance review. Mitis Iudex will effectively reinstitute the situation of the “American Procedural Norms” but go even further by making the lack of the mandatory appeal the standard.

The reality is that where first instance tribunals follow the process appropriately and objectively, a properly staffed second instance tribunal can generally arrive at a favourable decision rather quickly. If, however, there are unnecessary delays because of understaffing or sluggish attitudes on the part of tribunal officials, this is not the fault of the canonical laws.

The problem can be solved by proper staffing and management.

Rather than eliminating the second instance review, we need norms that ensure that it is used effectively and efficiently. If the sublime dignity and beauty of marriage is truly what we believe it to be, would the presumed validity of a marriage not make it worth a second review to safeguard it from possible sloppy or arbitrary decisions?

One must also ask why changes as important and dramatic as these were not offered for consultation beyond a very small committee working with seemingly no transparency over the period of a year.

Why was there no consultation with the synod of bishops, which will be held next month, pontifical faculties of canon law throughout the world, professional canon law societies, and select bishops and Church tribunals who will be charged with the difficult implementation and pastoral fallout of these reforms? North America is where nearly three-quarters of all declarations of nullity are issued yearly. Why was there no American or Canadian on the committee?

As Mitis Iudex does not take effect until early December, it is not too late to rectify the many serious problems in this document. I echo the call of some for a delay in implementation in order that a much-needed wider consultation can be carried out.

Finally, one must wonder whether the time is right for such jolting reforms.

As numerous crises in marriage and family continue both inside and outside the Church, perhaps it is not the best time to embark on changing the declaration of nullity process, which is a product of centuries of the Church’s pastoral experience. As the old adage goes, a time of crisis is the worst time to make law.

What is needed now is not new procedures but rather faithful implementation of the ones we have; not derogation from marriage laws, much less their abrogation, but rather a new appreciation of their purpose and pastoral wisdom.

What we need now more than ever is clarity about the Church’s teachings on marriage – especially its indissolubility – rather than hasty reforms that may further confuse them. What we need is mercy based on truth and not a false mercy based on convenience or a misplaced compassion which, as St John Paul II reminded us, could degenerate into a sentimentality that is only pastoral in appearance.

Benedict Nguyen is a canon and civil lawyer and serves as canonical counsel and theological adviser for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas. He is also an adjunct professor for the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation (avila-institute.com)

CARDINAL AGAINST CARDINAL
"Unless you pray more for your bishops, there will be chaos in Rome: bishop against bishop, cardinal against cardinal, while satan stands in the midst of them. Blood shall flow in the streets of Rome. Your Pastor, the leader of your sheep, shall flee in terror.”  - Jesus, July 15, 1976

     Veronica - Jesus wants you to know that many marriages are not approved of by Heaven. The example within the homes have led many children onto the road to hell. There will be no rationalization of adultery, there will be no rationalization of the breaking up of the home in divorce. Marriages, consummated and blessed by God the Father, shall not be dissolved by the whims of man.
    Know ye now that satan rules throughout your world for a short time. He has the power to turn the husband against his spouse, and the wife against her husband. Know you now that you cannot escape the fires of hell if you dissolve a marriage blessed by God the Father. It is permanent, and in the eyes of God, permanent unto death. - October 2, 1973

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JOINED
"The act of marriage blessed by the Father must not be dissolved to suit mankind in his carnal nature and loss of the knowledge of God. What God has joined together no man shall place asunder." - Our Lady, December 28, 1974

DESPICABLE
"The Eternal Father has given mankind a set of rules, and in discipline they must be obeyed. It behooves Me to say that My heart is torn by the actions, the despicable actions, of My clergy. I unite, as your God, man and woman into the holy state of matrimony. And what I have bound together no man must place asunder. And what do I see but broken homes, marriages dissolved through annulments! It has scandalized your nation, and it is scandalizing the world. Woe to the teachers and leaders who scandalize the sheep!" - Jesus, May 3, 1978

PROPAGATION
"The act of the union of the flesh was created as the means for the propagation of life upon your earth. We have seen the defaming of this sacred ritual of your God. You fornicate like animals, and when you sin you will not stand up and accept the fruits of your vulgarity. 
    "The union of the flesh will produce as the Father has deemed it. Should you use this in any manner contrary to the laws of your God, you shall reap what you have
sown." - Our Lady, May 10, 1972

HUMANAE VITAE*
"The encyclical of Pope Paul on birth control is true and must be followed by mankind. There shall be no rationalization of sin. There shall be no excuse for the murder of the unborn. Sin has become a way of life among mankind, but Heaven does not condone murder. Heaven cannot condone sin, though the Eternal Father in His mercy is most merciful and long suffering and forgiving." - Our Lady, October 2, 1976

*The encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae [Of Human Life] by Pope Paul VI, principally forbidding the use of artificial contraceptives in the regulation of births, under pain of mortal sin. It was issued in 1968 amidst great controversy generated by dissident theologians and others, who clamored for a reversal of this timeless doctrine. This godless pursuit was dealt a heavy glow when our Holy Father, speaking as the supreme teacher of the Church, gently but firmly articulated the constant teaching of the Church. We recommend that you read and study this momentous encyclical letter, Humanae Vitae.

STRENGTH
"The strength for souls will be found in the family circle." - Our Lady, December 31, 1972

ANNULMENTS
"Families are disintegrating. I must tell you now, My children, the family must be returned to the holy state it was constructed for. We shall never approve nor accept marriage and cohabitation without marriage. We shall not accept the annulments that are being given now to so many without due cause." - Our Lady, September 27, 1986

"In 1968 there were 450 Catholic marriage annulments in the U.S., but 48,000 in 1981!"¹

"More than 61,400 U.S. Catholics were granted annulments in 1989...."²

¹Msgr. Joseph Cirrincione and Thomas A. Nelson, The Rosary and the Crisis of Faith, Rockford, Ill., Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1986.

²The Brooklyn Tablet, Brooklyn, N.Y., March 28, 1992, p. 5.

COMMON-LAW
"O My child and My children, never have We seen from the beginning of time a world in such chaos. And also, I shall not speak with words that affright your heart, my child, but I wish it known that this new modern role of what they call 'marriage without marriage'-which means living as 'common-law,' I understand--My children shall not be tolerated in Heaven. It was never the plan of the Eternal Father that man and woman shall live as animals.
    "Fornication shall never be accepted. There is no excuse for fornication. If you cannot remain celibate, better then that you must then be married. It is better, My child and My children, to be married than to burn in hell. 
    "I also ask that all of My children of the world review the Ten Commandments." - Our Lady, November 1, 1985

BLACK CLOUD
"My children, when My Son returns upon your earth, will He find even a flicker of faith left in the hearts of mankind? In the days of Sodom, so too were men giving themselves over to all the pleasures of the flesh: eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage. All manner of sinful lusts were being committed. Men shameful with men, women casting aside their role of motherhood and lusting after women. As it was in the days of Sodom, so now is this black cloud over America." - Our Lady, July 14, 1979

SACREDNESS
"The sacredness of marriage and the married life of man and woman must not be destroyed by debased sensuality. It is a private consummation between man and woman and the family. It is not an object of derisive laughter and scornful jokes, My children. 
    "Your actions are observed by the Eternal Father Who looks into your heart. Pure thoughts, pure mind, pure spirit--what goes into the heart will come out." - Our Lady, August 21, 1975

WAR AMONG YOUR CLERGY
"The Eternal City of Rome shall go through labor pains. The struggle shall lead to blood within the streets. There shall be a war among your clergy. It shall be bishop against bishop and cardinal against cardinal, for 666 has entered upon Rome. I repeat, My children: awaken from your slumber! 666, the forces and agents of satan, have entered upon Rome!”  - Our Lady, July 24, 1976 

MUCH DECEIT THROUGHOUT HIERARCHY
"O My children, Rome is in great danger. There is much deceit throughout the hierarchy. It will be cardinal against cardinal and bishop against bishop, for satan has set himself in their ranks.
     "Prayer is the most powerful force now given in your world to stop the advance of 666. My children, if I could open to you a scene in small measure of the coming Chastisement, I would not have to, as your Mother, beg you to listen and act upon My counsel; you would go to your knees and make your way to My Son in pleading.”  - Our Lady, May 28, 1977 

MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN
"My children, I cannot impress you more with the urgency of going faster forward in the time that is left, forward to save your brothers and sisters. I ask you to approach My priesthood. Bishops and cardinals must now accept all of the Message from Heaven, even though it will bring about controversy among them. For it will be bishop against bishop and cardinal against cardinal. For all that is rotten will fall and must not be retained.”  - Jesus, November 20, 1978

Directives from Heaven... http://www.tldm.org/directives/directives.htm

D15 - Holy Matrimony PDF
D16 - Role of Parents PDF
D155 - Antipope of History PDF
D167 - The Family - Part 1 PDF
D168 - The Family - Part 2 PDF
D190 - Cardinals, Part 1    PDF
D191 - Cardinals, Part 2    PDF
D192 - Cardinals, Part 3   PDF
D223 - Adultery & Divorce PDF
D369 - Responsibility of Parents, Part 1 PDF
D370 - Responsibility of Parents, Part 2 PDF

EDITOR'S COMMENT:  Evil is accelerating and the Anti-Christ forces are gaining power in the world.  When the persecution starts, all Christian web sites on the internet will be forced to close.  Be sure to have in your possession all the following items: the Bayside Prophecy books, Bayside Medals, Douay-Rheims Bibles, the Protection Packets, Candles, Sacramentals, and Religious Books.  Purchase these items now while they are still available!  You will urgently need them in the days ahead.  Also, you can print out all PDF files for the Directives from Heaven and all of the Bayside Prophecies.  Copy Our Lady's messages and the Directives from Heaven now while they are still available!  Pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance on how to prepare now and for the days ahead when the Antichrist is revealed.  Viva Cristo Rey!

Articles...

Pope set to dramatically toughen the Church’s stance on marriage annulments
http://www.tldm.org/news6/annulments.htm

Pope tells bishops to make known full teaching of Church on defense of marriage
http://www.tldm.org/News7/marriage1.htm

Cohabitation and divorce
http://www.tldm.org/news2/divorce.htm

Pope says family "under attack" in modern society
http://www.tldm.org/news4/family.htm

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Your names have been written in Heaven… "It is not by accident that you are called by My Mother, for your names have been written in Heaven.... But with this great grace you have great responsibility to send this Message from Heaven throughout the world, for if you are able to recover just one more for Heaven, an additional star shall be placed in your crown." - Jesus, August 5, 1975

A great obligation to go forward... "It is not by accident that you are called by My Mother, for it is by merit and the prayers that have risen to Heaven for your salvation.  For those who have received the grace to hear the Message from Heaven, you have a great obligation to go forward and bring this Message to your brothers and sisters.  Do not expect a rest upon your earth, for you will have eternal rest very soon." - Jesus, June 12, 1976

The sin of omission...  "The sin of omission shall condemn many to hell, be they layman or Hierarchy.  I repeat:  not the sin of commission, but the sin of omission will commit many to hell." - Our Lady of the Roses,  October 6, 1980 

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