LETTERA APOSTOLICA IN FORMA DI “MOTU PROPRIO” “MITIS IUDEX DOMINUS IESUS” PER LO SNELLIMENTO DEL PROCESSO CANONICO DI NULLITÀ MATRIMONIALE

Abstract

Taking a close look at the family and marriage nowadays, particularly noticing the problems that the institution of marriage is facing determines the Church to become much more aware and responsible in solving the problems Christian couples are facing today. The church as divine-human institution disposes of valuable instruments to this purpose. Such is the legal procedure of the marriage nullity trial, which assesses the validity or invalidity of marriage from the perspective of canon law. A faithful pastoral ministry requires a reform of matrimonial law. This paper analyses the reform of the canonical regulations on marriage initiated by Pope Francis, notably the contribution of his two recent motu proprio apostolic letters, Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus and Mitis et Misericors Iesus which endorse a swifter and more accessible canonical procedure for the declaration of the nullity of marriage.