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This Tribunal attempts in its marriage nullity trials to settle a question of significant religious import: the validity of a sacred bond. It does so by adhering solely to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church as contained in the Code of Canon Law and other ecclesiastical legislation.
Accordingly, the marriage nullity process does not address, or in any way change the decisions of a civil court with regard to the marriage under consideration. All provisions of civil courts with regard to the civil divorce, property issues, child support, or any other matter decided in that civil forum, remain outside of the jurisdiction of this Tribunal.
In order to assure that no conflict between the civil and ecclesiastical forums arises with regard to a marriage under consideration by both courts, the Tribunal has a standing policy that no petition for invalidity of marriage will proceed until all civil litigation has been completed with regard to that marriage. A copy of the civil-divorce decree must be submitted as part of the requirements.