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1. "Chicago Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker says that Gibson had put out feelers to the Vatican despite the fact that the actor regards himself as a "traditional" Catholic with his own Malibu church."
   
   Something is very fishy about this story. Annulments are granted by local tribunals, not the Vatican, and the results are confidential. The process cannot even start until a civil divorce is granted, making this story even more unlikely.
   
   This is just gossip.

   Posted By: Greg

2. Mel should be refused and will be refused an annulment. It is also right that his children refuse to talk to him too. Good onya kids! If only more kids were as courageous.

   Posted By: Michael Webb

3. Exactly Greg. Hearing of matrimonial cases in the first instance by the Holy See, occurs only for royalty (to avoid any suggestion of political pressure on local tribunals). Gibson may regard himself as "Hollywood royalty" but this is nonsense.
   
   Michael W, unless you are privy to all the private circumstances of the Gibsons' marriage, you are unable to say whether or not there may be grounds for a declaration of nullity ("annulment").

   Posted By: Ronk

4. Whilst we can't take for granted that all news reports are acurate or fair, it is true that Gibson's wife has submitted papers for divorce. That alone is sad for any marriage. It is not for us to judge and blame anyone in the Gibson marriage and family. Gibson (a anti-Vatican II Traditionalist Catholic) would be a hypocrite if he was an adulterer and if he was pushing for a divorce and or an annulment - and using his wealth and fame to "jump" the queue, but as Greg (above) points out the story smells fishy and may be an anti-Mel Gibson hatchet job.

   Posted By: John Mac

5. Ronk,
   
   After such a long marriage and all those kids how could Mel not be truly married?
   You are making a long stretch Ronk.

   Posted By: Michael Webb

6. Mel exercised his free will - he chose - now he's cosying up to American bishops? Would he still be asking for the bishops' prayers if he hadn't been found out? Did he ask before he was found out? He felt the sudden need to fly to "America's Heartland" to talk about using Aramaic during Mass and it had nothing to do with his present situation? But he asked for prayers for his "bad time". Who is he kidding, resting on his "Passion" laurels??

   Posted By: Lora

7. Dear John Mac
   
   I take your point - however let us all remember that there is no such person as an " anti-Vatican II Traditionalist Catholic". We are within our rights though to dispute erroneous interpretations of Vatican II and even seek clarification of elements from some of its documents in line with preceding Councils and general doctrinal development.
   Yet all this 'independent' priest/chapel talk that some engage in appears to me to be a breaking of the bonds of unity and of charity with the Universal Church.

   Posted By: Michael Webb

8. Gee... couldn't believe with the pain of broken relationships, all some of these commentators can do is preach more hate and anger, even inciting children to do the same. How very sickening.

   Posted By: TJ Lawson

9. Michael Webb, your ability to judge from the outside never ceases to astound me.
   
   Mike Yates

   Posted By: Mike Yates

10. Thank you for the backhanded compliment, Mike Yates. I am only imitating what you would admire in the reporting prowess of CathNews.

    Posted By: Michael webb

11. Michael, whether a marriage is valid depends on the state of the couple at the time of the wedding and what was done, and not done, at and before that time. How many years of the marriage subsequently elapse before its validity is questioned, or how many children it subsequently produces, are irrelevant to the question.
    
    John Mac, adultery is always immoral. But it is not necessarily immoral in all cases to seek a civil divorce (and it appears Mrs Gibson is the one seeking it) even if one has committed or continues to commit adultery. It is never immoral merely to ask a Church tribunal to examine and rule on the validity of one's marriage. And the Church would never allow anyone to "jump the queue" because of his wealth or fame.

    Posted By: Ronk

12. Point taken Ronk however, generally people who are married for many long years and having had many children, are kidding themselves and those they seek to sway, for reasons of personal convenience. Desires for adultery or for alleged 'falling out of love' are no excuse. The Church should not be influenced by the self-indulgent demands of excuse makers. There are, of course, real reasons for annulment which time doesn't permit us to go into here.

    Posted By: Michael Webb

13. Btw I agree Michael, to be anti-Vatican II, is to be anti-Catholic. "Anti-Vatican-II Catholic" is oxymoronic.

    Posted By: Ronk

14. Seven kids and he wants an annulment? Give me a break Mel. Grow up and stick to your marriage vows. These hollywood actors tend to believe in the fairy tale lives they pretend to live.

    Posted By: Terri viera

15. I disagree Ronk,
    
    Seeing Vatican II was a 'pastoral' council that defined absolutely no new dogma, Catholics are quite within their means and should be encouraged to learn the complete errors that have crept into the Church in name of 'interpreting' the Council.
    
    What has Vatican II ever achieved for the Church?
    
    The more I find I critique and reject the decisions that have been made as a result of this Council, the more forward-thinking and in line with Catholic tradition I find my mind becoming.

    Posted By: Uncle Chop, Chop

16. Uncle Chop Chop, I think you misunderstand me. It is certainly not anti-Catholic to condemn the errors that many in the West have made in the name of 'interpreting' the Council, nor to critique the disciplinary and liturgical decisions that the Church has made subsequent to the Council.
    
    However to condemn the Council itself, or to claim that the Church herself has taught error at or since the Council, or to reject or disobey any disciplinary or liturgical directive lawfully issued by the relevant Church authority, IS anti-Catholic.
    

    Posted By: Ronk

17. After 28 years of marriage -- it was no mistake of a marriage. He claims to be holier than thou and now seeks to use the loopholes to satisfy his and only his desire. But, now Mel, you're having a baby out of wedlock and you're still married to your first wife. What will St. Peter say at the Pearly Gates? You're a disgrace.

    Posted By: Me

18. Mel, what are you doing? Life is soooo short and eternity sooooo long, don't jeapordize your salvation. Come back to earth and ask the Lord's forgiveness for messing up so badly. Honour your vows and family and ask God's forgiveness now before it is too late. God Bless.

    Posted By: Vin

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