Media Release

Mangalore, Mar 18 : The renovated office of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of Mangalore Diocese was recently inaugurated and blessed in the Bishop’s House, Kodialbail, Mangalore 575 003. The Vicar General, Msgr Denis M. Prabhu, inaugurated the office by cutting the ribbon. The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Revd Aloysius Paul D’Souza, blessed the premise. In the short reception that followed in the conference hall, Fr Valerian M. Menezes, the Judicial Vicar, welcomed everyone present. Fr Sunil Kumar D’Souza, Associate Judicial Vicar, presented an overview of the Tribunal activity, especially in the declaration of nullity or otherwise of marriages. 

The Bishop exercises his judicial function by himself or also through the Tribunal. The Holy See has granted competence  to Tribunal of the Diocese of Mangalore to process the matrimonial cases of Chikmagalur diocese as well. The Tribunal is the appeal Tribunal for the Archdiocesan Tribunal of Bangalore. Moreover, the Apostolic Signatura (the Supreme Tribunal of the Church) has assigned other cases to be processed in a higher grade.

Msgr Denis M. Prabhu explained the significance of the Tribunal ministry in the context of the pastoral mission of the diocese and expressed the need to appreciate the Tribunal ministry. Most Revd Aloysius Paul D’Souza explained about the anxiety of the couples going through a troubled marriage, and the role of the Tribunal in helping them to build up their life again in peace. He admired the new facility put in place for the Tribunal.

The contractor, Anil S. D’Souza, who efficiently executed the renovation work was felicitated with his assistant Mr Denis D’Souza. Sr Lydia Serrao, UFS, the Defender of the Bond of the Tribunal, proposed the vote of thanks. Fr Sunil George D’Souza, assistant parish priest of Milagres Parish Mangalore, and the editor of “Amchi Mai”, compered the programme. Among those present were Vicars Forane, parish priests, Directors of Diocesan Centres and other priests, religious sisters, the staff of the offices located in the Bishop’s House and the chapel choir members. The programme concluded with refreshments.