THEN BECAUSE I AM DIVORCED IS A DECLARATION OF AND REMARRIED WITHOUT A INVALIDITY A “CATHOLIC DECLARATION OF INVALIDITY I DIVORCE”? AM NO LONGER A CATHOLIC? Tribunal Officers No. No human power can dissolve a No. Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI and valid, consummated marriage Most Rev. Nelson J. Perez, D.D. Pope Saint John Paul II have affirmed between two baptized persons. A Bishop of Cleveland many times that Catholics who have declaration of invalidity is not a attempted remarriage outside the Church dissolution or ending of a marriage. It Reverend Gary D. Yanus, J.C.D. are still members of the Church and have a is a pronouncement by judges that a Judicial Vicar right to worship and a right to pastoral valid marriage as understood by the care. teaching of the Catholic Church did Reverend Charles F. Strebler, J.C.L. not exist. Adjunct Judicial Vicar WHAT IS A DECLARATION OF INVALIDITY? WHO MAY APPLY FOR A Mr. Vincent Gardiner, J.C.L. DECLARATION OF Judge A declaration of invalidity (annulment) is INVALIDITY? a statement by the Church after Ms. Lynette Tait, J.C.L. investigation by a church court (Tribunal) Any divorced person (Catholic or Judge that the bond of marriage was never non-Catholic) who has a reason for brought into existence when the parties the Catholic Church to investigate the Mr. Carl A. Caldwell, M.A., J.C.B. exchanged vows. While a declaration of validity of a marriage may apply. Defender of the Bond invalidity recognizes that a civil marriage existed, marriage as understood by the HOW LONG DOES THE Reverend William M. Jerse, J.C.L. Catholic Church did not come into PROCESS TAKE? Defender of the Bond existence due to the presence of certain circumstances. It is not possible to predict accurately Rev. A. Jonathan Zingales, J.C.L. the time it will take to complete the Defender of the Bond WHAT IS A TRIBUNAL? case or to guarantee that the decision of the judges will be favorable to Reverend Richard Bona, JCL A Tribunal is a church court. It is staffed one’s petition. Church law calls for Auditor by officials who are appointed by the the process to be no longer than bishop and who have received special eighteen months. Mrs. Kate E. Fiala education and training to represent him Auditor and the faith community in Church IS EVERY CASE PROCESSED IN proceedings for marriage cases and for THE SAME MANNER? Mrs. Judith R. Liederbach, M.A. other matters of Church law. Auditor No. There are different types of cases, depending on a person’s Mrs. Amy E. Riggle baptismal status and other factors. It Auditor is necessary to seek advice from a parish minister before submitting a Reverend Adam A. Zajac, M.A. case to the Tribunal. Auditor

The Tribunal WHAT DOES THIS PROCESS Common Questions 1404 East 9th Street, 7th Floor COST? Regarding Divorce and Cleveland, Ohio 44114 The Diocese of Cleveland charges no Remarriage in the Catholic fees for the processing of any cases. Church 216-696-6525, x4000 The Tribunal is funded by the 1-800-869-6525 x 4000 offerings of the lay faithful of the WHAT IS THE TEACHING OF www.dioceseofcleveland.org/tribunal, Diocese. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON [email protected] MARRIAGE? DOES A DECLARATION OF ------INVALIDITY AFFECT THE Marriage is a covenant by which a LEGITIMACY OF MY man and a woman establish between Your Name: CHILDREN? themselves a partnership of the whole of life directed toward the good of No. Church law states that the status both spouses and the procreation and of children is not affected. education of children. Marriage is Furthermore, the result of the decision distinguished by its permanence and Address: has no civil effects in the United by the fidelity of the spouses. States. IS A DIVORCED CATHOLIC MUST THE TRIBUNAL PERMITTED TO RECEIVE THE CONTACT MY DIVORCED SACRAMENTS? Daytime contact telephone number: SPOUSE? If otherwise properly disposed, being Yes. If the other spouse is impossible divorced does not, in and of itself, to locate or refuses to reply, the prevent a person from receiving the Tribunal can still proceed with the Eucharist and the other sacraments. Email address: case. A divorced person is fully and completely a member of the Church. HOW DO I START A CASE? DOES THAT MEAN A It is required that you contact your DIVORCED CATHOLIC Comments or questions: parish priest, deacon or pastoral REMARRIED OUTSIDE THE minister who will be most willing to CHURCH MAY RECEIVE assist you. If you prefer, you may COMMUNION? also contact the Tribunal for a referral. No. A Catholic who attempts remarriage without a declaration of If you have additional questions or invalidity (annulment) for a prior would like to receive more marriage may not receive information, please complete the Communion since the reception of form on the opposite page. Communion is a public statement that one adheres to the life and practice of 4/1/2015 the Church.