WHAT IS A DECLARATION OF NULLITY (OR ANNULMENT)?
A declaration of nullity, or commonly known as an annulment, is a statement by the Church made after study by a Tribunal that one of the essential elements of marriage was not present in the parties’ exchange of a valid, marital consent. This declaration recognizes that a civil marriage existed, and implies no moral judgment or blame regarding either of the parties. WHAT IS A TRIBUNAL? A Tribunal is a diocesan office staffed by persons who are appointed by the bishop and who have received special education and preparation to represent him and the faith community in Church judicial proceedings for marriage cases, and other matters of Church (canon) law. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIBUNAL? The Tribunal assists divorced people who petition for an investigation of their prior marriage(s). After gathering as much factual information as possible, the Tribunal makes a human decision in the name of the bishop and the Church community as to whether the couple is still bound to the former marri
