Marriage Tribunal

The primary duty of a diocesan Tribunal Office is to determine, on the basis of information presented to it, whether or not a marriage, which ended in civil divorce, is invalid according to church law. It does not lie within the competence of a church tribunal to determine the moral status of a person since this belongs to God alone.

The tribunal is the church’s court in which legal acts and procedures are observed to solve disputes and questions. It is comprised of judicial personnel, i.e. judges, advocates, defenders and others. Judicial trials are undertaken to pursue or vindicate rights, to declare facts or to impose penalties on their findings.

The diocesan bishop has chief oversight for the diocesan court. There are various officials at the court. The judicial vicar heads the diocesan court and is assisted by judges of the tribunal. The defender of the bond argues to uphold the bond of marriage that is in question. Procurators represent and act on behalf of parties, while advocates ensure the rights of the parties are upheld. All exercise judicial authority in accord with canon law.