Wasn’t there a big name politician who did the same thing? Can’t remember who.....had his long-time marriage absolved (with a large donation) in order to marry and remain in good standing with the church. I’ll remember who it was in the middle of the night.
If this politician had grounds for a declaration of nullity, and he made a large donation, anyway, then he was a fool.
Although it takes a while, if one has grounds, the most I've ever heard of any diocese charging for use of the marriage tribunal is $1500. And frankly, most are under a thousand dollars. My own charges $500 and discounts or waives all the fees for folks who can't afford it.
Most dioceses get about half their costs back to conduct their tribunals through the tribunal fees. The general funds of the diocese cover the rest.
So, anyone with grounds who obtains his declaration of nullity with a large donation has wasted his money. He could have had the same by just paying the modest tribunal fees.
sitetest
Does his new “wife” get a family discount on pickles?