The Catholic Church understands marriage to be a permanent and exclusive partnership between a man and a woman for the giving and receiving of love and the procreation and education of children.

Those who have been baptized also receive the Sacrament of matrimony, when they marry validly.

The Church believes that every valid, sacramental marriage that has been consummated is indissoluble.  This is the law of God according to evidence found in the Old Testament, the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the writings of St. Paul, and centuries of Christian Tradition.

Although not every marriage is a Sacrament, each and every marriage (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, non-believer, etc.) is presumed to be a valid marriage. The good of all concerned (spouses, children, in-laws, society, the Church, etc.) demands this presumption

In the diocese of Jefferson City the Bishop has mandated that the ministry to those seeking a decision regarding their marriage is to be a shared responsibility of all Catholics in the Diocese of Jefferson City. Therefore, no fee is accepted for a petition of nullity.