Catholic Diocese of Wilmington - Administrative Offices

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 Tribunal also is capable of conducting penal trials when crimes of an ecclesial nature are committed. The work of the Tribunal is a ministry of healing for those who seek God's justice and mercy. It also is one of advocacy for those whose rights have been harmed, ignored, or denied.

 Updated Nov 9 2007 by Lang

THE TRIBUNAL STAFF 

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

Judicial Vicar                                 
Very Rev. George J. Brubaker, J.C.L.  

Judges                                            
Rev. Stanley R. Drupieski, OSFS       
Sr. Jeanne Hamilton, OSU, J.C.L.      
Ms. Jacqueline Hannem, J.C.L.         

Defenders of the Bond
Jack D. Anderson, J.C.D.
Rev. Cyprian Rosen, OFM Cap.J.C.L.
Sr. Patricia Smith, OSF, J.C.D.

Auditor
Deacon Francis J. Staab

Office Supervisor 
Mrs. JoAnn Kubasko 

Administrative Assistants/Notaries   

Mrs. Patricia Killen                                                                    Mrs. Gail Esposito 

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

Christ Our King,Wilmington:
   Deacon William J. Johnston, Jr.
Church of the Good Shepherd, Perryville, MD:
   Judy A. Hyde
Church of the Holy Child, Wilmington:
   Deacon Joseph A. Cilia Jr.
Holy Cross, Dover:
   James G. McGiffin, Joseph Parlett, Jr, Deacon W. Pete Nellius,
   Deacon William J. Murrian
Holy Name of Jesus, Pocomoke City, MD:
   Deacon Thomas S. Cimino, Ellen Cimino
Holy Spirit, New Castle:
   Deacon Patrick K. Johnston
Immaculate Conception, Elkton, MD:
   Roberta Mayfield Truman, Michael A. Truman
Our Lady of Lourdes, Seaford:
   Ruth L. Skala
Our Lady of Perpetual Help AFB, Dover:
   Deacon Thomas R. Masino
St. Ann, Bethany Beach:
   Deacon Dennis L. Hayden, Joseph F. Nelan, Claire A. Nelan,
  
Geraldine T. Buckley, Deacon Edward J. Danko, Sr.
 St. Ann, Wilmington:
   Ann F. Trzuskowski, James J. Flynn
St. Anthony, Wilmington:
   Alfred R. Bestwick
St. Catherine of Siena, Wilmington:
  
Deacon Francis J. Staab, Jennifer Maguire
St. Christopher, Chester, MD:
   Vy. Rev. Paul F. Jennings, Deacon John R. Robinson,
   Lori J. Robinson
St. Edmond, Rehoboth Beach:
   John A. Smith, Anna V. Smith
St. Elizabeth, Wilmington:
   Deacon David M. DeGhetto
St. Frances de Sales, Salisbury, MD:
  
Deacon Carl Beers, Mary J. Beers, Sr. Agnes Oman, CSB
St. John the Apostle, Milford/St. Bernadette, Harrington:
  
Deacon James D. Malloy, Deacon Anthony Bianco,
   Florence Bianco,  Eileen Murphy, Deacon J. Scott Landis
St. Joseph, Middletown:
   Deacon Fred Wendt, Deacon John J. Falkowski, Jr.,
   Jo-Ann Baca, Diane Riggitano
St. Joseph, French St., Wilmington:
   Deacon Robert Levesque
St. Joseph On the Brandywine, Wilmington:
   Deacon Edmund Lynch
St. Jude the Apostle, Lewes:
   Deacon Edward J. Brink, Jane Brink
St. Luke, Ocean City, MD:
   Deacon Edward G. Holson
St. Mary of the Assumption, Hockessin:
   Deacon John Giacci, Flora L. Giacci
St. Mary Magdalen, Wilmington:
   Deborah Fox
St. Matthew, Wilmington:
   Deacon Harold R. Chalfant, Janet Chalfant,
   Deacon Michael T. Wilber, Deacon William A. Kaper,
   Nancy Kaper
St. Michael, Georgetown:
   Deacon Donald T. Carroll, Carol Carroll
St. Paul, Wilmington:
   Deacon Cruz Rodriguez
St. Peter the Apostle, New Castle:
   Sister Joan M. Lewis, SSJ
St. Polycarp, Smyrna:
   Deacon Charles Robinson, Maureen Robinson

                            Abogados que hablan Espaņol

St. Ann, Bethany Beach:
   Joseph F. Nelan
St. Catherine of Siena, Wilmington:
   Jennifer Maguire
St. Frances deSales, Salisbury, MD:
   Hermana Agnes Oman, CSB
St. Paul, Wilmington:
   Deacon Cruz Rodriguez

Due Process Commission: Clerk of the Commission:
   Very Rev. George J. Brubaker, J.C.L. 
   P.O. Box 2030 
   Wilmington, De 19899
   Phone: (302) 573-3107           

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.
 

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