The Metropolitan Tribunal is the Ecclesiastical Court of the Archdiocese of Boston and The Metropolitan Tribunal of Boston is charged with the administration of justice, as a court of first instance and as an appellate court, for matters of the public good brought before the Church. Although most cases brought before the Tribunal involve questions of marital nullity, the court also acts as the competent forum for other issues, including penal matters.
Ecclesiastical Court of the Archdiocese of Boston
Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese
Very Rev. Mark O'Connell, JCD
Archdiocesan Judges: Tribunal Court
Very Rev. Mark O'Connell, JCD
Rev. Joseph F. Mozer, JCL
Rev. Msgr. Michael Smith Foster, JCD
Sr. Margaret L. Sullivan, CSJ, JCL
Mrs. Maria Galindez-Bianco, JCL, JD
Associates
Rev. Joseph M. Hennessey, JCL
Court Advocate / Petitioner
Ms. Julianne Shanklin
Rev. Wlodzimierz Sobolewski, CR
Court Advocate / Respondent
Rev. Peter G. Gori, OSA, JCD
Defenders of the Bond
Rev. Aidan J. Walsh, JCL
Rev. James G. Burke, JCL
Rev. Rodney J. Copp, JCL
Promoter of Justice
Rev. Rodney J. Copp, JCL
Rev. Robert Oliver BH, STD, JCD
Intern
Rev. William C. Palladino
Notary
Ms. Marsha A. Staten
Staff
Ms. Ellen Obshatkin
Ms. Marsha Staten
Mrs Jessica MacMaster
Mrs. Lily A. Holowinsky
Canonical Affairs Committee
Chair: Very Rev. Mark O'Connell, JCD
Rev. James G. Burke, JCL
Rev. Rodney J. Copp, JCL
Most Rev. Walter J. Edyvean, STD
Rev. Peter G. Gori, OSA, JCD
Rev. James J. Laughlin, JCL
Rev. Joseph F. Mozer, JCL
Sr. Margaret L. Sullivan, CSJ, JCL
Rev. Walter J. Woods, STD
The Metropolitan Tribunal is the court of the Archdiocese of Boston.
Normal Business hours are between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
General questions can be addressed via e-mail to Reverend_Mark_O'Connell@rcab.org; however, private questions/correspondence should come via phone (9:00 AM-5:00 PM) or regular mail.
For a better understanding of annulments, see Msgr. Foster's article entitled "How Can a Marriage Be Declared Null?"