Obtaining the bishop's approval to separate

“From Arcanum to 2013, there were especially clear magisterial teachings on marriage / family / human sexuality.  These are treasures which our hierarchy, priests, deacons, and selves need to re-mine” (Catholic Stand, 10/30/2022 and 10/31/2022).  

In annual addresses to the Church's highest court for marriage cases, Phil Lawler maintains that Pope Francis is veering away from the courses of his two immediate predecessors (cf, The Pope's misplaced sympathy for fathers who leave home, Catholic Culture, 2/1/21):

Saint Pope John Paul II: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Pope Benedict XVI: 2006 – 2013

Pope Francis: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Is something fully preliminary amiss?  In a recent radio interview (i.e., Spouses Who Remain Faithful in the Face of Infidelity, Drew Mariani Show, 5/3/23) , Bai MacFarlane of Mary's Advocates indicated knowing of no U.S diocese where individuals are ordinarily required to seek the bishop's permission before separating (cf, Canons 1151 and 1153)!  I have seen a diocesan notice seeming to blithely indicate that obtaining a divorce is the preliminary step to being considered for an annullment.  

Are marriage and family truly being treasured as priceless gifts from God?  What sort of messages are going to young people?  As per Fatima visionary Sister Lucia dos Santos,

 ‘The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about Marriage and the Family.’ Don't be afraid, she added, because whoever works for the sanctity of Marriage and the Family will always be fought against and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue. Then she concluded: ‘nevertheless, Our Lady has already crushed his head.’ (The Catholic World Report, 10/13/2021).