Welcome to the website of the Tribunal of the Diocese of Bridgeport.
The Tribunal is the Diocesan Court which adjudicates the internal legal affairs of the Church. The Tribunal is managed by the Very Reverend Arthur Mollenhauer, J.C.L., the Judicial Vicar, who administers it in the name of the Diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano. The Judicial Vicar is assisted by judge Ms. Eileen Magdalen Ross, J.C.L. The role of the Defender of the Bond and Promoter of Justice are assigned to clerical and lay Canon Lawyers appointed by the Bishop or Judicial Vicar . Mrs. Antonia M. Perez fulfills the roles of the Office Manager and Ecclesiastical Notary for the Tribunal and the Diocese.
The sacramental status of a marriage is one of the internal legal affairs of the Church. Marriages are investigated by the Tribunal because the Catholic Church recognizes the initial and lawful marriage between a man and a woman as binding. The annulment process begins when one of the parties of such a recognized lawful marriage (after a civil divorce) petitions the Church to investigate and determine whether that marriage was indeed binding.
This website is designed to help interested parties to learn about the annulment process in the Diocese of Bridgeport. It has also tools to assist the clergy, often serving as advocates, for their parishioners. We hope you find it helpful.
The Tribunal is the Diocesan Court which adjudicates the internal legal affairs of the Church. The Tribunal is managed by the Very Reverend Arthur Mollenhauer, J.C.L., the Judicial Vicar, who administers it in the name of the Diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano. The Judicial Vicar is assisted by judge Ms. Eileen Magdalen Ross, J.C.L. The role of the Defender of the Bond and Promoter of Justice are assigned to clerical and lay Canon Lawyers appointed by the Bishop or Judicial Vicar . Mrs. Antonia M. Perez fulfills the roles of the Office Manager and Ecclesiastical Notary for the Tribunal and the Diocese.
The sacramental status of a marriage is one of the internal legal affairs of the Church. Marriages are investigated by the Tribunal because the Catholic Church recognizes the initial and lawful marriage between a man and a woman as binding. The annulment process begins when one of the parties of such a recognized lawful marriage (after a civil divorce) petitions the Church to investigate and determine whether that marriage was indeed binding.
This website is designed to help interested parties to learn about the annulment process in the Diocese of Bridgeport. It has also tools to assist the clergy, often serving as advocates, for their parishioners. We hope you find it helpful.
