The process of annulling Catholic marriages in Bermuda is set to be reformed, in line with the wishes of Pope Francis.

In September, the Pope announced plans to make marriage annulment less opaque, less stressful and less expensive in the Catholic Church, which does not recognise divorce.

The streamlining move is intended to address the needs of modern-day followers, who are not allowed to receive the Holy Communion should they choose to divorce and then remarry.

Christopher Palladino, a member of the Archdiocese of Boston’s Tribunal for Matrimonial Causes, visited Bermuda last month to train clergy on the guidelines and meet with anyone interested in the reforms.

Bishop Wesley Spiewak said that, under the revised rules, the new procedure for marriage annulment should take no more than 12 months, or 45 days in very clear-cut cases.

“Up to this point we just had one road, and that could take a very long time — years even,” he said. “We try to examine each case uniquely, and see how we can help the people.”

For further details on the changes, call 232-4414.