Matrimonial Tribunal

Divorce is unique among life experiences.  There is no precedent that can prepare an individual for it.  Divorce is a process, not an event.  Legal divorce can be pinpointed to a moment in time, to the signing of a court decision, but not so the experience of divorce.  The experience of divorce is the result of a series of incidents that eventually erode a relationship between a husband and wife.  The ending of any marriage that has endured long enough for the two partners to invest portions of their lives, money, emotions, and dreams is often a devastating experience. 

Persons who have experienced the heartbreak of divorce are in need of much healing.  One of the healing ministries of the Church open to the divorced is the annulment process.  It is a unique way of bringing closure to a sad chapter in life.  The annulment process may very well reveal that though two people struggled mightily to sustain a relationship, something essential to marital consent was lacking from the beginning, and therefore, the union could not be sustained.

The annulment process is a procedure that cleans up some of the spiritual damage left over from a divorce.  One aspect of that damage is the inability of the divorced person to enter another valid marriage at any time in any place.  The nullity declaration, if that is the outcome of the investigation, is a declaration that a person’s marriage really wasn’t a true marriage, and therefore, the divorced person is able to marry in the Church as though for the first time.

If you are in need of this healing ministry of the church, consider submitting a preliminary form.  You can download the form from our website (scroll down), or you may request it from our office by telephone. 

Additionally, I would invite you to visit the web page for the Office of Family Life, which can be reached by clicking here.  It contains a wealth of resources for individuals struggling with separation and divorce.

May God Bless You,

Msgr. Robert Hundt, J.C.L.

If you have questions or wish to request further information or a preliminary investigation form, we can be reached at: tribunal@dioceseoflacrosse.com or:

Matrimonial Tribunal
Diocese of La Crosse
P. 0. Box 4004
La Crosse, WI 54602-4004
(608) 788-7700

Click here to download a printable version of the preliminary form.

(Please note that the above form is intended to be printed out and filled out by hand.  Once you have completed the preliminary form, please mail it to us at the address above.)

Click here to download a preliminary form that can be filled out on the computer.

Please include your name, mailing address & phone number in all correspondence.

Judicial Vicar: Rev. Msgr. Robert Hundt, J.C.L.
Promoter of Justice: Rev. Msgr. Richard Gilles, V.G.
Defender of the Bond: Rev. William Kulas
Diocesan Judges: Rev. Michael J. Gorman, J.C.L., Rev. Msgr. Robert Hundt, J.C.L.
Auditor: Aaron Nielsen
Office Staff: Kelly McCarthy, Shirley Giblen