Tribunal

Marriage Annulment FAQs

Canonical Procedure for a Formal Case

The Tribunal Fee

 

Judicial Vicar: Very Rev. Joseph W. McQuaide, IV
Mailing Address: PO Box 2030, Wilmington, DE 19899
Office Address: 1925 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806
302-573-3107
[email protected]

Tribunal Secretary: Ms. Elaine Atz
Mailing Address: PO Box 2030, Wilmington, DE 19899
Office Address: 1925 Delaware Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806
302-573-3107
[email protected]

THE TRIBUNAL MARRIAGE ANNULMENTS

(A Ministry of Healing)

Jesus Christ taught a higher standard for marriage than the Law of Moses which allowed a man to divorce his wife. Jesus taught that from the beginning marriage was from God and the bond of marriage could not be broken (Mk. 10:2-12; Mt. 19:2-12; Lk 16:18; 1 Cor. 7:10). Since the time of the Apostles questions about marriage have been brought to the leaders of the Church like St. Paul (cf. 1 Cor. 7:12-16). Today the Diocesan Bishop receives requests to examine the validity of marriage according to the Code of Canon Law. The Tribunal appointed by the Bishop accepts petitions for nullity, gathers testimony, and renders decisions according to the universal law and procedures of the Catholic Church. The work of the Tribunal is a ministry of healing for those who seek God’s justice and mercy.

Mailing Address                              Street Address
P.O. Box 2030                                  1925 Delaware Ave.
Wilmington, DE 19899-2030               Wilmington, DE 19806

Phone    (302) 573-3107                   FAX    (302) 573-6947

                  

 Judges

Reverend James B. Herring, O. Praem., JCD
Rev. Msgr. George J. Brubaker, J.C.L.
Mr. Joseph F. Nelan, J.C.D.

Defenders of the Bond

Sr. Patricia Smith, OSF, J.C.D.

 

Advocates  Advocates are appointed by the Bishop to help petitioners in the diocese to present to the tribunal petitions for marriage nullity.

DIOCESAN MARRIAGE ADVOCATES LISTED BY DEANERY 

Brandywine Hundred Deanery

Mr. F. Edmund Lynch
St. Joseph on the Brandywine

Deacon Joseph A. Cilia, Jr.
Church of the Holy Child

Deacon William J. Johnston, Jr.
Church of the Holy Child

Sr. Joan Marie Lewis
Immaculate Heart of Mary

Central New Castle Deanery

Deacon David DeGhetto
Corpus Christi

Deacon Michael Olliver
Holy Spirit

Deacon Patrick Johnston
Holy Spirit

Deacon John Giacci
St. Mary of the Assumption

Flora Giacci
St. Mary of the Assumption

Ms. Carmen Soto
Our Lady of Fatima

Deacon Eliezer Soto
Our Lady of Fatima

Deacon John J. Falkowski, Jr.
Resurrection

Deacon Mike Wilber
St. Matthew

Rev. Glenn M. Evers
St. Mary of the Assumption

City Deanery

Ann F. Trzuskowski
St. Ann

Ms. Marilyn C. Castro
St. Paul

Iron Hill Deanery

Julia Hyde
Good Shepherd, Perryville

Deacon Michael Truman
Immaculate Conception

Roberta Mayfield Truman, esq.
Immaculate Conception

Mr. Jose Sanchez
Immaculate Conception

Ms. Olga Matias
Immaculate Conception

Deacon Michael A. Boyd, Sr.
St. Joseph, Middletown

Deacon Cruz Rodriguez
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Deacon Austin Lobo
St. Margaret of Scotland

Deacon Jose Perez
St. John/Holy Angels

Ms. Gloria Perez
St. John/Holy Angels

Eastern Shore Deanery

Mr. Michael Lindemann
St. Benedict

Arlene Kennedy
SS Peter and Paul

Silver Lake Deanery

Deacon Sherman Mitchell, III
Immaculate Conception, Marydel

Deacon James Malloy
St. John the Apostle

Deacon Robert C. Herzog, Jr.
St. John the Apostle

Deacon Charles Robinson
St. Polycarp

Maureen Robinson
St. Polycarp

Joseph Parlett, Jr.
Holy Cross

Deacon Vincent Pisano
Holy Cross

Deacon William Murrian
Holy Cross

Ms. Arline Dosman
Holy Cross

Deacon Scott Peterson
Holy Cross

Deacon John Harvey
Holy Cross

Ocean Deanery

Alfred R. Bestwick
St. Jude the Apostle

Deacon Donald E. Lydick
St. Jude the Apostle

Deacon J. Scott Landis
St. Jude the Apostle

Very Rev. Paul F. Jennings, Jr.
St. Luke/St. Andrew

Deacon Ed Holson
St. Luke/St. Andrew

Deacon Weston Nellius (Pete)
St. Edmond

Deacon Dana J. Ackerson
St. Edmond

Mary Jane Beers
St. Francis deSales

Deacon Charles A. Weschler
St. John Neumann, Berlin

     

If you are interested in further information on the annulment process please call the tribunal office directly.  Phone: (302) 573-3107.  After some initial clarifying questions by a tribunal staff member, an advocate will contact you to assist you in preparing your petition to present it to the court, and to offer you guidance and canonical assistance throughout the proceedings.