Competency: Which Tribunal can hear my Petition?

Competency: Which Tribunal can hear my Petition?

One of the major changes in the annulment process made by the Holy Father affected what the Church calls competency . In Church law, competency dictates which court (or tribunal) is allowed to hear a case. After December 8, 2015, the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Baltimore will have competency to hear an annulment case if:

• The marriage in question took place within the territory of the Archdiocese;
• Either the Petitioner or Respondent lives within the Archdiocese; and/or
• The majority of the witnesses and evidence (or proofs) are to be gathered within the Archdiocese.

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