Metropolitan
Tribunal
Purpose
Church law calls for the existence of a tribunal in every diocese
of the world. The Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese
of Hartford is a staff of specially trained and experienced
priests, religious and lay persons who offer assistance to
parties who have reason to doubt the validity of their marriage.
The Tribunal then investigates the marriage, and, on completion
of the investigation, declares whether or not invalidity
has been proved.
What
is Marriage?
The
Catholic Church teaches that marriage is, by God's plan, an enduring
and exclusive partnership between a man and a woman for the giving
and receiving of love and for the procreation and education of
children. From a marriage properly celebrated arises a bond between
the spouses which by its very nature is perpetual and exclusive.
For
those who have been baptized, a valid marriage is also a sacrament.
The Catholic Church also teaches that every sacramental marriage
that has been consummated is indissoluble. This is in accord
with the Sacred Scriptures and centuries of Catholic tradition.
How
to Petition the Tribunal
You may
request the necessary documents from the Metropolitan Tribunal
or print them from the web site (pdf files). To open and print
them from the web site, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
(Click here to download
Acrobat Reader free.) Click on each title to open, and
use
the
print button on
your browser
to
print
out the form.
1) Declaration
of Invalidity of Marriage, an
informational brochure, provides answers about the process of
placing a petition before the Metropolitan Tribunal.
2)
Petition Form 3) Marital
History 4) Statement
of Petitioner
When
you have completed the forms, send them to the Metropolitan
Tribunal for consideration. The filing fee of $75 must accompany
these documents. Please make your check payable to the Archdiocese
of Hartford.
Should
you have any questions concerning this matter, please feel
free to contact Carol M. Hatten, Metropolitan Tribunal Notary,
at 860-541-6491 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM), via email,
or by writing directly to the Metropolitan Tribunal (see address
below).
Staff
Judicial
Vicar (Officialis) - Rev. Robert B. Vargo, J.C.L.
Adjutant Judicial Vicar - Rev. James F. Kinnane, J.C.L.
Defender of the Bond - Rev. M. Juan-Diego Brunetta, O.P.,
J.C.D.
Promoter of Justice - Msgr. John J. McCarthy, J.C.D., J.D.
Secretary and Notary - Carol M. Hatten
Secretary - Nancy C. Scott
Judges - Msgrs.
John J. McCarthy, J.C.D., J.D.; William J. Mullen, J.C.D.;
Revs. James F. Kinnane, J.C.L.; Alvin J. LeBlanc, J.C.L.;
M. Juan-Diego Brunetta, O.P., J.C.D.
Assessor - Sr. Patrick Marie Doherty, I.H.M.
Experts -
Robert Swards, MD; Donald Paglia,
M.S., C.A.G.S.; Deacon Ronald Biamonte, M.A. (NCC Board Eligible)
To contact
the Metropolitan Tribunal:
Metropolitan
Tribunal
Archdiocese of Hartford
134 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105-3784
Phone: 860-541-6491
Fax: 860-541-6309
Email: carolh@aohct.org
