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 the Study of Marriage? It is to determine whether or not there is a ground acceptable in church law that would invalidate a marriage, and whether or not this particular ground can be proved "beyond a reasonable doubt" to have actually existed in the marriage being studied. How does the Tribunal determine is a marriage is invalid? In essence, the Tribunal seeks a response to the question: Was this marriage a union as defined by the laws of the Catholic Church? Briefly, the Tribunal seeks to establish: • whether or not the marriage was freely contracted. • whether or not both parties were emotionally mature enough to establish such a union. • whether or not both parties intended the marriage as a permanent, faithful and fruitful union. 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.