Jesuit priest guiding Nic's "spiritual homecoming" (Nicole Kidman's Return to the Catholic Church)

Catholic News ^ | June 13, 2006

[Roccus]

He lives in Vegas now. I'll try to get hold of him later, after work and get the numbers.

[Roccus]

Evidently the Church thought her case (he was sterile) wasn't of the $300 variety.

[Roccus]

OK, just got off the phone and here is the story as he tells it.
He... previously married, had to pay (donate) $10,000 for special dispensation to marry wife #2 (never married) in the Church.
Wife #2 wants annulment because he is sterile even after two surgeries to correct this. She wants to re-marry in the Church. Church wants another $10,000 (donation) but was willing to bargain down to $5,000 for the annulment.

[ArrogantBustard]

Thanks for the details.

That is, to say the least, HIGHLY unusual.

[Roccus]

Every time I think of this, the name Martin Luther comes to mind. I wonder why?

[ArrogantBustard]

I do see the similarity.

Luther was wrong. The idea that $15000 annulments are in any way, shape or form "normal" is also wrong.

[Xenalyte]

Keith, Keith, Keith, honey . . . why do you need a "beard"?

[Xenalyte]

In lieu of wedding gifts, the couple has provided guests with a list of charities and asked them to donate.

Tacky, tacky, TACKY.

But then, I'm such a purist, I think pre-wedding store registration is tacky.

[ArrogantBustard]

The happy couple:

If'n he's a poofter, that would make this yet another "defective" marriage ... "Eyes wide shut"???

[nina0113]

But then, I'm such a purist, I think pre-wedding store registration is tacky.

I used to, so Steve & I didn't register. We ended up with many many unneeded presents that we had no idea where to return them to. Five years later, they're still in the attic. The advice I give now is, register at ONE national store for inexpensive items.

[vladimir998]

Roccus,

Your (friend's) story makes no sense. Whether or not he received an annulment from the Church or not has nothing to do with him paying support to his wife. That's a civil affair.

[vladimir998]

This also makes no sense:

"OK, just got off the phone and here is the story as he tells it. He... previously married, had to pay (donate) $10,000 for special dispensation to marry wife #2 (never married) in the Church."

1) Dispensations cost nothing. 2) There is no "dispensation" for someone previously (putatively) married in the Church. That would be an annulment. If it was a marriage outside the Church, which was ruled invalid, then all he needs is a writ from the diocesan chancery.

"Wife #2 wants annulment because he is sterile even after two surgeries to correct this. She wants to re-marry in the Church. Church wants another $10,000 (donation) but was willing to bargain down to $5,000 for the annulment."

Also, nonsense. There is no cause for an annulment here. If it was known that he was sterile BEFORE the wedding that would be a different issue. I would love to know what diocese this supposedly is.

[Roccus]

Once she re-married, the alimony ended.

[Roccus]

I can't argue with what you say. I don't know all the terms involved and was relating the story as told to me. I remember, at the time these events were taking place, that he was complaining about what it would cost for him to be married to wife#2 'in the Church.'
As to whether or not the dissolution of the marriage to wife #2 was an annulment or whatever, the sterility was not known (he had had 2 children in his first marriage) at the time of marriage. Wife #2 was subsequently married (second time) 'in the Church'.
This all took place about 20yrs ago. (where does the time go?) in Queens NY, so I'll assume the diocese was Rockville Center.

[eleni121]

she fully embraces the faith

---

I hope so too...wishing her some happiness...and her helping out in the pro life cause.

[sitetest]

Dear vladimir998,

Is it possible that the poster is confusing the cost of canon lawyers and additional experts with a "donation" to the Church to facilitate an annulment?

"There is no cause for an annulment here. If it was known that he was sterile BEFORE the wedding that would be a different issue."

Do you mean if HE knew, but didn't share it with his bride-to-be?

If both knew prior, I don't think it would be cause for a declaration of nullity.


sitetest

[mel]

I don’t see how she kept a straight face that is without bursting out laughing at Scientology.

[Salvation]

I don’t know where you are getting your information about the cost of an annulment. Is it first hand? Have you gone through an annulment yourself or are you basing your statement on “hearsay?”

Annulments are not that expensive and are often granted on a sliding scale according to the individual seeking one.

[Salvation]

So you are talking about two annulments then?

One for him and one for wife #2?

Still outlandish. These are not realistic figures by today’s standards. I hate to say it, but I think he got taken.

[Salvation]

**Annulments are not that expensive and are often granted on a sliding scale according to the individual seeking one.**

And his/her ability to pay.