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Office of Canonical Affairs / Alberta Regional
Tribunal
| Judicial
Vicar: |
|
| Director: |
Delia Waldock
dwaldock@edmontoncatholic-church.com
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| Adminitrative
Assistants: |
Lucille
Jamieson
Denise Levesque
|
Tribunal Case
Instructors:
|
Linda
Onofrychuk
Barb Croteau
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| Address: |
8421-101
Avenue
Edmonton, AB T6A 0L1
Tel. (780) 469-4446
Fax (780) 465-2880
E-mail: canonicalaffairs@edmontoncatholic-church.com
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What is the Role of
the
Office of Canonical Affairs?
The Office of Canonical Affairs processes requests for marriage
dispensations from parishes in the Archdiocese of Edmonton. In
addition, through the Alberta Regional Tribunal, we assist those
persons who request a study of a marriage for a possible declaration of
nullity. The Tribunal serves the dioceses of Edmonton, St. Paul,
Grouard-McLennan, and Mackenzie-Fort Smith.
WHAT IS A DECLARATION OF NULLITY?... A TIME
FOR HEALING
What is a Declaration of Nullity?
A declaration of nullity is a judgment from the Catholic Church that a
marriage was not a valid Christian marriage as the Church defines
marriage. The Church sees marriage as a call to mutual self-giving for
the good of the spouses and the nurturing of children. The question of
validity addresses whether the spouses were capable of, and open to,
entering into a permanent and exclusive commitment. If it can be shown
that something essential was lacking at the time of the exchange of
vows, then the Church declares the marriage "null".
The declaration of nullity process can be also a way of helping people
to come to peace in themselves and in and with the community of the
Church, after a marriage has ended in civil divorce.
What are the Steps Involved?
- You will be formally
interviewed, under oath, by a
staff member of the Canonical Affairs Office.
- Your former spouse
will be
notified by the Canonical
Affairs Office and formally interviewed if they choose to be involved.
- Witnesses will be
interviewed.
- Experts may be
consulted.
- The gathered
testimony will
be reviewed by the
Defender of the Bond.
- Three Judges will now
study
the Acts and give their
decision.
- You and your former
spouse
will be sent notification
of this decision.
- In about one month of
this
decision, the case will be
sent to the Canadian Appeal Tribunal in Ottawa for a second reading.
- Both you and your
former
spouse will be notified as
soon as the case is returned by the Appeal Tribunal.
Where do I begin?
Contact either your parish priest or the Office of Canonical Affairs
(469-4446). A Request for Study Form will be filled out with your
assistance. When we have studied the completed form, we'll contact you
and make an appointment for your formal interview.
Why is your former spouse contacted?
Catholic Church law requires us to notify your former spouse of the
fact that you are seeking a declaration of nullity of your marriage.
This is required so that your former spouse may also be interviewed to
give testimony.
How long will it all take?
The average length of time for a case is one year; however, it is not
possible to guarantee this length of time because of other factors,
such as difficulty in contacting witnesses or having their
co-operation. Please note that a date for remarriage in the Church
cannot be set until a declaration of nullity has been actually granted
and confirmed by the Appeal Tribunal in Ottawa.
For further information please call (780) 469-4446 and speak
with a member of the Canonical Affairs Office staff.
Click
here for the Annulment Application Form
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