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Canonical Services & Tribunal

- Canonical Services & Tribunal
  
  The Office of Canonical Services & Tribunal is responsible for assisting the bishop in his judicial role in the diocese and handling cases that are subject to the Canon Law of the Church. The mission is:
  
  To promote, protect and vindicate the rights and privileges of the People of God in accordance with natural and ecclesiastical law.
  To facilitate full participation in the sacramental life of the Church and a more intimate union with God by removing, when possible, juridical barriers such as previous marriages.
  To provide canonical expertise to the bishop, priests, religious and laity of the diocese, especially with regard to marriage legislation.
  
  To contact the staff, please email [email protected] or call 207-773-6471.
  
  Payments for Canonical Services: https://portlanddiocese.net/tribunalpayments
- Declarations of Nullity
  
  A significant role of the Tribunal is to examine petitions for marriage nullity and works diligently to process every case. It is important to know that cases may receive a negative or an affirmative decision. The timing of a decision depends on a number of factors including the number of cases, cooperation (or lack thereof) by the parties and/or their witnesses, the completeness of the information provided, as well as the possibility of appeal.
  
  It is important to note that priests and parish staff may not set or promise a wedding date before an affirmative decision is reached and finalized. As decisions may be negative, a date cannot be set during the process. This policy is intended to respect the integrity of the process. All parties are asked to neither presume the outcome of the requested annulment(s) nor to predict the amount of time it will take to process the case(s).
  
  Read more about the annulment process
- For Catholics in a Civil Marriage
  
  Some Catholics married outside of the Church (e.g. before a Justice of the Peace or a non-Catholic minister) and want to have a valid marriage. Presuming there are no prior marriages or other impediments, the couple can approach their local pastor. They do not need to get a declaration of nullity in these cases. The process, often called a convalidation, involves both spouses consent to make the marriage valid within the Catholic Church. The Tribunal staff can assist in understanding this process.
- Staff
  
  V. Rev. John D. Dickinson, JV
  
  Judicial Vicar
  
  Shannon C. Fossett, JCL
  
  Director of Canonical Services & Tribunal
  
  David Bearse
  
  Canonist
  
  Ashley Subler
  
  Canonist