Annulments
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Are you in need of an annulment?
Contact the St. John's parish office at 260-744-4393 or email [email protected] and ask to schedule a meeting with either of our priests. They can discuss the process as a whole and - when and if you are ready - begin your paperwork with you.
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Diocese of fort wayne-South Bend Judicial Vicar and Tribunal staff
Contact Information
Fort Wayne Office Archbishop Noll Catholic Center
915 South Clinton Street P.O. Box 390
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46801
Phone: (260) 422-4611
Fax: (260) 969-9140
Judicial Vicar: Rev. Jacob Runyon, JCL, [email protected]
Judges: Rev. Jacob Runyon, JCL; Rev. Francis Chukwuma, JCD; Fr. Wimal Jayasuriya, JCD
Promoter of Justice: Rev. Msgr. Bruce Piechocki, JCL
Defender of the Bond: Heidi Gonzales, JCL
Administrative Assistant: Janice Brell Ext. 3343
Auditors: Ellen Becker Ext. 3352; Isabella Duran-Price Ext. 3351
Advocates: Vicki Ferrier Ext. 3345; Anne Therese Stephens Ext. 3347
Typist: Christina Hoeffel Ext. 3346
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"What God has joined together, no human being must separate (Mark 10:9). These words of Jesus are beautiful and challenging. They are beautiful because they reveal the permanence of Christian marriage. They are challenging, because permanent and lasting marriage can be tough. These words form the very heart of the ministry of the diocesan Tribunal. Above all else, we believe and proclaim the message of Christ: that Christian marriage is permanent and lasting.
Still, marriage is a contract that involves the loving exchange of persons. Because of the nature of marriage, it requires freedom, commitment and discretion. While it might be easy to say the words, “I do,” it is not always easy to live out these words. The Church understands that certain problems can exist in a person’s capacity to give consent. If consent is lacking, then valid marriage does not arise. In order to understand the work of the Tribunal, it is vital to understand this important distinction: Valid Christian marriage is absolutely unbreakable by any power on earth; yet, if certain problems can be proven, then a marriage can be declared as being invalid from the beginning." - Fr. Jacob Runyon, JCL
Learn more about annulments by reading and watching the links below:
Annulments: Answers to Common Questions, Objections & Misconceptions written by Father Jacob Runyon, JCL
The Annulment Process in Practice: Mary's Story written by Jodi Marlin
The Annulment Process - an Act of Mercy written by Anne Therese Stephens, OVM, JCL (St. John the Baptist parishioner)
Catholic Teaching on Marriage, Divorce, and Annulments video by Father Mark Gurtner, Vicar General and former Judicial Vicar
Marriage and the Marriage Nullity Process procedures written by the Tribunal, Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend