The revised 4th Edition of 'A Guide to the Annulment Process' is supported by the Marriage and Family Life Office at the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.
It was first published in 1998 with the goal of de-mystifying the annulment process, "making it easier to understand, and hopefully less stressful".
The 4th Edition now takes into account a document issued by Pope Francis in 2015 which gives a more streamlined and readily accessible way of proceeding with an annulment.
According to NBCW, the pope's emphasis on mercy in the document, "The Gentle Judge, our Lord Jesus, the Shepherd of Souls", is central to the new procedures which help reduce the time taken to process a case, and assist diocesan bishops to use their judicial power for the good of those in their care.
In his foreword, the Rt Rev Peter Doyle, Chair of the Bishops' Committee for Marriage and Family Life, described the 4th edition as "a resource to assist all those in our communities whose marriages have failed, and those accompanying them; and restore to them, with the mercy of God, hope and confidence on the journey of faith in the light of the Gospel."
The National Board of Catholic Women is a forum in which Catholic women of England and Wales come together to share their views and concerns at local and national level.
NBCW president Maureen Meatcher said she hopes the booklet will help women in the healing process after a marriage ends.
"The National Board of Catholic Women actively seeks to enable the spiritual growth and development of all Catholic women," she said.
"Applying for an annulment may have procedural and emotional difficulties for some, but it is a time of learning and understanding about themselves."
The guide can be downloaded for free on the group's website.
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