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Marriage Tribunal
Q. Why do I need witnesses--don't you believe me?
A. It is not a matter of the tribunal court not "believing" the applicant's testimony--it is a matter of justice; both sides of the marriage should be heard so a fair judgment can be made. It is very important to this tribunal when both principals of the marriage (petitioner who is the applicant, and the respondent, who is the ex-spouse) testify concerning their own childhoods, dating experiences and the engagement. Parents, siblings, other relatives and/or close friends (ideally four to six witnesses) can testify also about the petitioner and respondent's childhood home, the dating of both, engagement, and first four to six months of the marriage in question. In this way the witness testimony (hopefully) will corroborate with the applicant and/or respondent's testimony.
Q. What if the respondent (ex-spouse) refuses to contribute to the testimony of the case? Will this stop the process?
A. No, the case will still proceed. However, if the respondent will testify as to how he/she perceived the character and maturity of the applicant and the marriage in general, this testimony, along with witness testimony will aid the tribunal judge's determination of the case.
Q. What is an "expert witness"?
A. Often in a marriage case there is testimony from the principals and/or witnesses that must be examined by a therapist to determine whether one or both of the principals had some sort of condition (depression, obsessive compulsion, etc.) prior to the wedding. Such conditions may have interfered with the development of a sacramental marriage.