The Tribunal of the Catholic Church is the official ecclesiastical court of the Church. In 1987, the New Zealand Bishops Conference agreed to have the Tribunal of the Catholic Church established nationally for all cases, including penal trials, declarations of nullity and cases of vindication of rights provided in Canon Law.
The work of the Tribunal
A major function of the Tribunal is to process declaration of nullity cases, meaning inquiring as to whether the marriage is binding for life or not according to the laws of the Catholic Church. Whenever Catholics or non-Catholics have been previously married, this process must be followed to determine whether they may enter into a new marriage in the Catholic Church. Thus, it assists in the pastoral care of the Christian faithful by examining whether a declaration of nullity is possible.
The Tribunal also hears Penal trials, which are conducted in accordance with Church Law, for example, especially when crimes have been committed by clergy, religious and lay members. The Tribunal strives to “care for the dignity of marriage and to work for the good of persons”, it seeks to administer justice and contribute to the Church’s ministry in “the salvation of souls, which must always be the supreme law of the Church”.
Who to contact? (Archdiocese of Wellington and Palmerston North Diocese)
Please contact the Tribunal office, and we will guide you through the process:
Teena George
Catholic Centre, PO Box 1937, Wellington 6140
Phone: 04 496 1727