The officials and staff of the Department of Canonical Services and the Tribunal serve as ministers of justice in truth, love, and mercy.
The Department of Canonical Services promotes a greater understanding of the law of the Church (canon law) and provides canonical advice, education, and assistance to the archbishop, diocesan and parish staff, religious institutes, and other Catholic entities and associations, and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon.
The Tribunal is the judicial office of the archbishop. The Tribunal helps assure that the provisions of canon law are implemented correctly and equitably, protecting rights as well as determining the status of persons in the Church. Although the majority of the Tribunal’s work concerns petitions for declarations of marriage nullity, it handles other matters that come before the archbishop as well.
