Home | Contact Parish Info | Diocese Map | Clergy Assignments | Pastoral Center Offices | Local Catholic Organizations | Jobs | Links How does one begin a Study?   What is the Study of a Marriage?   What is the Tribunal?   What About the Former Spouse?   Who Reviews the Study Information?   What is the Next Step?   How Long Does the Entire Process Take?   Is Remarriage in the Catholic Church Allowed?   Is there a Fee for Tribunal Services?   What is Marriage?   What is an Annulment?   Office of the Tribunal > What is Marriage? The Catholic Church understands marriage to be an enduring and exclusive partnership for the giving and receiving of love and the procreation and education of children. For those who have been baptized, a valid marriage is, at the same time, the sacrament of matrimony. The Church believes that every valid, sacramental marriage that has been consummated is indissoluble. This is the law of God according to the evidence found in the Old Testament, the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the writings of Paul and thousands of years of Christian tradition. Although not every marriage is a sacrament, each and every marriage (Catholic, Jewish, non-believer, etc.) is presumed to be a valid marriage. The good of all concerned (spouses, children, in-laws, society, the church, etc.) demands this presumption. How, then, is an annulment possible? Every marriage is presumed to be valid. However, when it can be proved that a specific marriage is not valid, there is a possibility that the church will declare it to be invalid. Thus, an annulment is granted for the marriage. Contact: Bette Damberg bdamberg@dioceseduluth.org (218) 724-9111 Fax: (218) 724-1056 Diocese of Duluth Office of the Tribunal 2830 E. 4th Street Duluth, MN 55812 Judicial Vicar James B. Bissonette, J.C.L. Defender of the Bond Dale Nau, J.C.L Advocate Bette Damberg   Diocese of Duluth • 2830 E Fourth St • Duluth Minnesota 55812 • (218) 724- 9111 Copyright 2010 DIOCESE OF DULUTH All Rights Reserved.