Tribunal of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux

The Ecclesiastical Tribunal

The Ecclesiastical Tribunal (Court of First Instance) of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux serves the Church by faithfully applying canon law while upholding the dignity and rights of all people, in keeping with the spirit of the Gospel. The Tribunal exists to assist individuals seeking clarity and healing in matters related to marriage.

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The Catholic Annulment (Declaration of Invalidity)

The Catholic Church understands marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant. Because of this belief, the Church does not recognize divorce as ending a valid marriage bond.

However, the Church also recognizes that not every marriage entered into was valid from the beginning. In some situations, a marriage may have lacked essential elements necessary for a true marital covenant—such as full freedom, sufficient maturity, or a clear understanding of what marriage requires.

For this reason, a person has the right to petition the Tribunal to examine a previous marriage. This process seeks to determine whether a valid marriage bond was truly present at the time the vows were exchanged, according to the laws and teachings of the Church.

A Declaration of Invalidity (commonly called an annulment) does not say that a marriage never existed or that the relationship was entered into in bad faith. Rather, it states that something essential to a valid marriage was missing from the very beginning.

Some of the elements examined include:

• Freedom of choice (absence of pressure or coercion)

• Emotional and psychological maturity

• Honesty and openness between spouses

• Openness to children

• Understanding and intention of lifelong commitment

• Capacity to form a partnership of life and love as the Church teaches

The Tribunal’s role is not to place blame, but to seek the truth with compassion, justice, and care for all involved.

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Getting Started

To learn more about annulments or how to begin the process, speak with the parish priest of your choice. It does not have to be the priest that married you or in the diocese where you got married. They become your advocate and provide you with a packet to petition for the declaration of invalidity. 

Still have questions? Click here for FAQs.

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Would you like to be an advocate?

An Advocate is one who helps a party seeking a declaration of invalidity of marriage in putting their case together. The tribunal office will train you in Advocacy work with a one day workshop at the Tribunal Office. If you think that this is a ministry of interest to you, please email Veronica Songe at [email protected].