-
The Tribunal is an extension of the bishop’s judicial ministry to the people of the Diocese of Victoria in Texas. It is the vicariate established by Canon Law as the judicial arm of the government of the Diocese. As such, it is the court system of the Church and the canonical forum for the resolution of legal questions arising from the activity of the Church and of the faithful.
The ministry of the Marriage Tribunal is one part of the Church’s effort to offer healing and hope to the victims of failed marriages. The Tribunal investigates these situations to determine whether the parties in certain instances may be free to remarry. Faithful to Catholic tradition, we maintain the innate dignity of marriage and the Gospel's prohibition against arbitrary and unwarranted divorce. At the same time, we live in an imperfect society in which divorce is a common reality. In accord with Canon Law, all previously married individuals (Catholic or not) have the right to seek clarification of the canonical status of their previous marriage(s).
By delegation, the Tribunal and Canonical Affairs Office of the Diocese of Victoria also processes all matters of permissions and dispensations pertaining to marriage, along with materials for Sacramental marriage preparation for use at the parish level. The documents available here are all to be completed with the assistance of a local Parish Case Sponsor — priests, deacons, designated laity — who can assist the individual(s) in understanding the process and the details involved.