Is the testimony kept confidential?
All the information gathered in the course of this investigation is considered confidential. This information is not made available except as authorized by Church law. Church law states that both parties do have access to the information collected unless the judge determines that access to a particular part of the information may cause serious harm, or unless the information is protected by civil statute. The purpose of this access is to defend one’s position for or against the ecclesiastical declaration of nullity. No one else has access to the information contained in the case. The addresses of the parties are never given out, and all contact with the parties is done through the Tribunal. At no time do the parties have to appear before the Tribunal together.
