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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta  
Flow for a Formal Case
Additional Information

Rights in the Process

Agreement to Policies & Practices

Formal Cases: Agreement to Policies & Practices

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  1. I understand that, if the Tribunal accepts my case for consideration, it cannot and does not guarantee that an Affirmative decision will be given in the case.

  2. I understand that the Tribunal can not and will not ever promise or guarantee that the case will be concluded by a certain date.  Because of this, I agree to wait until I receive a final decision in writing from the Tribunal before I set a definite date for remarriage within the Catholic church or for convalidation of an existing marriage.

  3. I understand that the Metropolitan Tribunal of Atlanta, in the investigation of the case, may employ the services of a psychological professional or other expert witness and I hereby authorize the Tribunal to disclose complete information concerning my case to such a professional for case review.  Upon completion of the case, I also authorize the Tribunal to release information regarding the case to a psychological expert, counselor, priest, or deacon for follow-up counseling as well as for pre-marital preparation presently or in the future.  It is understood that otherwise all contents of this investigation will be kept confidential, reserved exclusively to the parties to the case and to the staff of the Tribunal, according to the canon law of the Roman Catholic church.

  4. signatureTo provide for candor and openness in testimony, in recognition of the purely spiritual and religious nature of these proceedings, and to allow the Tribunal to process this case free from undue entanglements or hindrances, I voluntarily waive now and in the future any right under law to the subpoena or judicial discovery of the testimonial Acts of this case.  This waiver is given without reservation and condition.

  5. I understand that the Tribunal’s presiding judge will issue a decree binding all parties in this case to confidentiality.  Accordingly, I agree to keep confidential and secret any information that I shall learn in the course of the proceeding because all testimony in this case is given for the possible ecclesiastical annulment of my marriage; and, because my interest is solely to present my case to the Tribunal, I promise not to use information that I may learn through the case in any other forum or for any other purpose.

  6. I understand that I am responsible for the costs involved in processing this case; however, the Tribunal asks me to pay only a fraction of its estimated costs for the case.  There is a five hundred dollar ($500.00) fee for a formal case heard by the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. [NOTE: This fee can be paid according to any installment plan I suggest. Once I have committed to a payment plan, the Tribunal expects that I will fulfill my agreement to pay as promised. If my financial circumstances change during the process and I wish to change my payment plan, I will contact my Advocate at the Tribunal. Please know that no one is ever turned away from the Tribunal because of their inability to pay a fee.]

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