Canon law Catholic Church)

The completion of the acquisition of Marinopoulos supermarkets by Sklavenitis edged a step closer on Wednesday after the publication of a decision by the competent court in Athens that approved the agreement for the streamlining of the country's biggest retail chain.

The contract for the undertaking of the Marinopoulos supermarket chain by peer Sklavenitis is at risk of being annulled, as the bankruptcy court was late in issuing its approval of the deal on Monday.

The delay, by one working day, of the verdict's issue after months of waiting could trigger one of the agreement's annulment clauses.

Pope Francis wants to make it easier for Catholics to have their marriages annulled under reforms regarded with suspicion by conservatives wary of the de facto introduction of Church-approved divorce.