Couples go for annulment as quicker, cheaper option

A GROWING number of young couples are applying for annulments because it is cheaper and quicker than getting a divorce.

Figures released yesterday show 328 couples had their marriages annulled by Catholic marriage tribunals last year. The vast majority were in their 30s.

A further 710 applications were lodged with the four regional marriage tribunals in Dublin, Cork, Armagh and Galway.

More that half of applicants are granted annulment decrees. The process takes under two years.

The single biggest ground for annulment is a “grave lack of judgment”, says Fr Gerard Garrett, the full-time presiding judge at the Cork-based tribunal which hears cases from six of the Munster diocese.

“This means that at the time of the marriage, one or other of the parties did not or could not make an adequate critical analysis of the proposition.

“This could be due to intellectual or psychological difficulties or the person might have been unwell.”

Fr Garrett said this category could include a girl who, on becoming pregnant, came under family pressure to go ahead with getting married.

Other grounds include deceit and deciding not to have children before getting married.

Cost and time are also major factors. Applicants are asked to pay €980 to go towards tribunal costs.

While Church nullities are quicker to finalise, many couples have to wait to remarry until they get their civil affairs in order. More than 2,900 couples were granted a divorce last year.

The Court Service figures show three out of every 20 marriages end in divorce.