Don't forget 'Father's' personal friends whose marriages have hit the rocks too, Kag. The rules which govern everyone else in the church suddenly become surmountable in their case. 

I also was aware of many people who approached priests but were told flat out that they simply wouldn't be entitled to an annulment so there was no point in even starting the process. (The reality was often that the priest couldn't be bothered with the paperwork.)

People tend to think that Canon Law is their enemy. In fact, it can be the opposite. EVERY Catholic who appeals for an annulment is fully entitled to have their marriage investigated, EVERY CATHOLIC. They are just unaware that this is the case. Canon Law gives them that right.