LEGAZPI DIOCESE CREATES OWN TRIBUNAL FOR MARRIAGE NULLITY CASES

THE Diocese of Legazpi is set to formally establish its own ecclesiastical tribunal that will primarily handle marriage nullity cases.

According to a circular released on Tuesday, the tribunal will be established on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary, in accordance with the reforms of Pope Francis in “Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus.”

The tribunal, that will be led by Rev. Fr. Paul Rene Ocfemia, JCD, Judicial Vica,will handle marriage nullity cases and  other canonical matters to ensure a faster, more accessible, and just process for the faithful.

“For years, cases from our Diocese were processed through the Inter-Diocesan Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Cáceres,” it said.

Bishop Joel Baylon of Legazpi said that the “Ecclesiastical Tribunal” aims to provide “a more accessible and efficient process for those who seek clarity regarding the validity of their marriages.”

“With this constitution, our own tribunal will now exercise jurisdiction over these cases, responding more effectively to the needs of our people while remaining in full communion with the wider judicial system of the Church,” Baylon said.

The Mass and inaugural ceremony will take place on March 19 at 9 a.m. at the Parish Church and Diocesan Shrine of Saint Padre Pio, Rawis, Legazpi City.

Invited in the celebration are all the clergy, religious, and lay faithful, especially those involved in canonical, pastoral, and family ministries.

The creation of new tribunal follows the Canon Law, which encourages dioceses to set up their own tribunals to serve the faithful more effectively.