Annulments & Divorce Care
Divorce Care
Experiencing the breakdown of a marriage is overwhelmingly difficult. One's hopes and dreams, investments and resources, have been placed in the sacramental relationship that's expected to last a lifetime. Divorce, then, is an experience that can be traumatic and full of grief. The Catholic Church recognizes the pain and hurt associated with divorce and offers healing for those who want to move on, while retaining the dignity and validity of marriage.
Surviving Divorce
In order to assist in healing after a divorce, and to accompany those who have gone through this painful experience, the diocese facilitates Surviving Divorce, a program in Des Moines and Council Bluffs.
Surviving Divorce was created to bring hope and healing to those who have experienced the pain and loneliness of a broken marriage. It is a 12-week program for both the newly separated and divorced and those still struggling with issues many years later. New participants are allowed to join through the third session. There is a $30 fee to cover materials.
Council Bluffs
For information regarding the Council Bluffs session, please contact Patrick Tinley by emailing petinley@yahoo.com or by calling 402-980-9722.
Des Moines
In Des Moines, sessions will begin on Monday, November 16th, 2026 and run weekly from there. Sessions are held from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the parish office of St Theresa's, on Merle Hay & University.
For additional information regarding the Des Moines sessions, please contact Bill & Ann Moore by emailing moorefamilydsm@gmail.com or by calling 515-480-3314 (Bill) or 641-425-0109 (Ann).
Facts about myths surrounding being divorced and Catholic
Tribunal & Annulments
The Tribunal is the judicial branch of the Des Moines diocese. This department is responsible for assisting with matters pertaining to Church law, known as Canon law. While the department addresses matters delegated by the bishop, its primary work focuses on receiving and investigating petitions for declaration of invalidity of marriages, commonly known as annulments.
As a part of the journey toward healing after the end of a marriage, individuals may seek a declaration by the Church that their marriage was not valid in the eyes of the Church. This is called an annulment, or decree of nullity. This does not mean that parties are free of obligations of the union, such as the welfare of children. An annulment acknowledges there was a wedding ceremony, or a relationship existed. An annulment determines whether an essential element was lacking in the consent of at least one partner in the marriage. If so, the union would not be valid according to the Church's understanding of marriage.
To start the process, please contact your parish priest or deacon. For more information, contact the diocesan Tribunal office at 515-237-5004.