ALL REMARRIAGE PETITIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP AT LEAST 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE PROPOSED WEDDING DATE.
Remarriage petitions should be written by the presiding priest, not the couple.
ALL REMARRIAGE PETITIONS MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:
1 The full names of the parties to be married.
2 The names of the Episcopal congregations in which these persons are active members.
3 The names of former spouses.
4 The dates of final divorce decrees involved. (If you are satisfied that the previous marriage(s) has (have) been dissolved or annulled by a final judgment or decree, it is not necessary to submit copies of the divorce decree.)
5 If child support is to be paid, whether the person involved is current in payment.
6 A statement concerning the reason for the end of prior marriage(s).
7 A statement telling how and why this new relationship will be different.
8 A statement concerning the manner in which the couple intends to place God at the center of their marriage and home.
9 Assurance from the priest petitioner that he or she, after careful inquiry, is firmly convinced that the petition should be granted, including a statement of his or her reasons for this opinion (if they have not been covered in 7 and 8 above).
AGAIN, ALL REMARRIAGE PETITIONS SHOULD HAVE ALL NINE ITEMS ADDRESSED ABOVE.
For a second marriage, a waiting period of one year from the date of final divorce decree is normally required. If a lengthy separation (in excess of two years) has occurred, a six-month waiting period may be granted.
For third or more marriages, ending for any reason, including death, it is the expectation that counseling will be done with a Licensed Marriage and Family Counselor and the full report, or at least a letter on their letterhead stating the couples completion of counseling and if possible their opinion on the couple’s readiness for marriage, submitted to the Bishop’s Office. This means that you will need to plan far in advance to make sure that this can be accomplished. You may find a licensed counselor at www.AAMFT.org or call the Bishop’s Office.
Send all remarriage petitions to:
The Most Rev. Melissa M. Skelton
mskelton@ecww.org
CC: April Caballero, acaballero@ecww.org