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.