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The tribunal is an extension of the Bishop’s judicial governance of the Diocese of Memphis.  Though the bishop himself is the primary judge in the Diocese, he usually entrusts this part of his ministry to the tribunal.  Our tribunal is staffed and assisted by priests, deacons, and lay persons trained in canon law together with their support staff.  All tribunal procedures are carried out in accordance with the 1983 Code of Canon Law and relevant Instructions from the Holy See.

Though the tribunal is competent in many legal matters, the primary work of our tribunal pertains to matrimonial matters, especially declarations of nullity (annulments).  The ministry of the tribunal is one part of the Church’s effort to offer healing and hope to those whose marriage has failed.  The tribunal investigates these situations to determine whether, in certain instances, the parties may be free to remarry in the Catholic Church.

Faithful to Catholic doctrine, we maintain the innate dignity of marriage and the inviolability of the bond of marriage.  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 decree of the Apostolic Signatura, the tribunal also serves as a Court of Second Instance (Appeal) for matrimonial cases from the tribunal of the Diocese of Knoxville.

We hope that the following information will help you to become acquainted with our ministry on behalf of the Church. 

To apply for a formal case or a prior bond case, please click on the “Applications” tab below.

Applications for the Pauline Privilege and Lack of Form are not, strictly speaking, tribunal matters.  To apply for Pauline Privilege or Lack of Form, please go to the Chancellor page and click on the “Applications for Matrimonial Processes” tab.

For Prenuptial Investigation Forms, Dispensation Requests, Sanations, etc., go to the Chancellor page.

Diocesan Bishop
Most Rev. David P. Talley, M.S.W., J.C.D.

Judicial Vicar
Very Rev. James M. Clark, J.C.L.

Judges
Rev. Msgr. James J. Ramacciotti, J.C.L.
Very Rev. James M. Clark, J.C.L., J.V.
Rev. Timothy Ferguson, J.C.L.
Mrs. Anna Lynn, J.C.L.
Prof. Michael-Andreas Nobel, J.C.L., Ph.D.
Mrs. Ashley Subler, J.C.L.

Defenders of the Bond
Rev. Carlos Donato da Silva, J.C.L.
Rev. Casey Weber, J.C.L.

Promoter of Justice
Rev. Carlos Donato da Silva, J.C.L.

Advocates
Rev. J. Antonio Romo Romo, S.V.D.
Rev. Dennis Schenkel
Deacon Ernie Albonetti
Deacon Mick Hovanec
Deacon William Lifsey
Deacon Frank Williams
Prof. Chris Brown, Ph.D.
Mrs. Angela “Po” Canale, J.D.
Dr. David Castronovo, J.D., J.C.D.
Mrs. Charmiane Claxton, J.D.
Mr. Paul Dooley
Mrs. Laurie Lewandowski
Mr. David Woods
Ms. Colombia Ydrovo

Moderator of the Tribunal Chancery
Ms. Lynn Cozart

Email: tribunal@cc.cdom.org

Phone: (901) 373-1200

Fax: (901) 373-1268

There are different canonical processes conducted by the Tribunal and/or the Chancellor’s Office to determine the status of those whose marriage has ended in divorce.  There are different applications for each of these canonical processes.

To determine which application to use, please click on the following link and answer a few questions to determine which application is the correct one for you.

Which application should I complete?

 

English Applications

Formal Case (Application Packet)

Prior Bond Case (Application Packet)

For Lack of Form and Pauline Privilege applications, please go to the Chancellor page.

Spanish Applications

Solicitud para el Processo Ordinario

 

Completing and Submitting an Application

All Tribunal applications can be printed and completed by hand.  Please write legibly.  You may also complete an application online, if you have the necessary software.

After completing an application, take the printed application and any required documents to your parish or bring it to the Tribunal.

Submitting the Application at Your Parish: If you bring your application and documents to your parish, a priest or deacon will witness your signature and sign the application.  Then the priest/deacon will mail the application to the Tribunal. 

Submitting the Application at the Tribunal: You also have the option of bringing the application and documents directly to the Tribunal.  If you choose to submit the application and documents at the tribunal, a tribunal notary will witness your signature and sign the application.  Whenever possible, a tribunal advocate will meet right away with any applicant who delivers his/her application directly to the Tribunal.  This will help to expedite your case.

Please keep a photocopy of anything you bring or send to the Tribunal, since mail and documents can be lost.

 

If you need help with the application process, contact us at tribunal@cc.cdom.org or call (901) 373-1200 and ask for the Tribunal.

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