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DIOCESE

OF

OGDENSBURG

Moderator of the Curia

622 WASHINGTON STREET P.O. BOX 369 OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK 13669
TELEPHONE: 315-393-2920 FAX: 1-866-314-7296 email: kobrien@rcdony.org

For Immediate Release, May 11, 2015

OGDENSBURG DIOCESE ELIMINATES FEES

FOR MARRIAGE ANNULMENTS
Bishop Terry R. LaValley has issued a policy that eliminates fees to
individuals seeking an annulment through the Diocesan Marriage Tribunal. The
new policy will be effective as of June 1, 2015.
Bishop LaValley announced the new policy recently to those in pastoral
ministry in the diocese. The move was inspired by remarks of Pope Francis and
was supported by the Priest Council of the diocese. Pope Francis called on
bishops to consider this move, stated Bishop LaValley. The Pope asked us to
show mercy and justice generously and freely, as Jesus does for each one of us.
An annulment is a declaration that a previous marriage is not spiritually
binding, and does not stand in the way of an individual remarrying in the Church.
Annulments are only granted after a civil divorce has been final and there is no
possibility of reconciliation between the parties.
The work of the Marriage Tribunal is a healing ministry, said Bishop
LaValley. Our Judicial Vicar, Msgr. Harry Snow, and his staff have worked hard
to keep fees to applicants as low as possible. This new policy makes it clear that

the focus of the Marriage Tribunal is and always has been to help people to heal
and move forward with their lives.
The fee for an annulment in the Diocese of Ogdensburg ranged from $50 to
$400 prior to the enactment of this new policy. No petition was ever denied
because of the inability to pay the fee.
The fee was far less than the actual cost of the annulment process, which
includes the employment of canon lawyers, experts, office expenses and salaries
for office personnel.
Practically speaking, there are significant costs associated with the work of
the Marriage Tribunal, but I do not want finances to be a barrier to the spiritual
well-being of anyone, said Bishop LaValley. I hope people will approach the
Tribunal without any hesitation due to financial considerations. The work of the
Tribunal has always been to serve the needs of people, helping them to grow closer
to God. I hope this new policy simply emphasizes that fact.