The Diocesan Marriage Tribunal assists with the pastoral care of divorced and remarried persons seeking to have their marriage recognised in the Church, divorced persons seeking to remarry, and divorced persons seeking clarification of their standing in the Church.
Any Catholic or non-Catholic who questions the validity of their marriage is welcome to approach the diocese’s Marriage Tribunal.
If you are required to complete any forms such as applications, dispensations and permissions relating to getting married, this is handled by the Office of the Bishop (not the Marriage Tribunal).
For Marriage Tribunal enquiries contact us here.
Divorce
A divorce is a civil act that claims to dissolve a valid marriage.
From a civil legal perspective, a marriage existed and was then dissolved. The Catholic Church, following the teaching of Jesus, does not recognise the ability of the State to dissolve any marriage by divorce.
Annulments
An annulment is an official declaration by the Church Tribunal that a marriage was not valid from the beginning. Unlike a civil divorce, which ends a marriage that legally exists, an annulment recognises that a true marital bond never came into being.
Although the process of seeking a declaration of nullity can feel challenging, many people find it to be an important step in healing after the breakdown of a relationship. Throughout the journey, our experienced staff are here to walk with you, offering care, understanding, and support.
It is important to understand what an annulment does not mean. It does not deny that a couple once loved each other, nor does it assign blame for the breakdown of the marriage, measure one spouse’s faith against the other’s, or concern itself with reward, punishment, or compensation.
Instead, an annulment acknowledges that, at the time of the wedding, a permanent, binding union did not come into existence because one of the essential elements for a valid marriage was missing. These essential elements relate to knowledge, freedom, and the personal capacity to enter into marriage. For example, one party may have been unable to marry due to a serious psychological condition or mental illness.
In practical terms, when a marriage is declared null, the Church recognises that the bond never existed, and both parties are free to marry again in the Catholic Church.
