Diocese Judge

Job Description

Location: Catholic Pastoral Center (Colorado Springs, CO)
Date Open: OPEN NOW
Date Closed: Open Until Filled (Start As Soon As Practical)
Pay Range: $65,000.00 - $68,000 per year
Benefits: Full Time employees eligible for health, vision and dental coverage; receive holiday pay and earn discretionary time off; may participate in employee pension plan.

Job Description:

General Purpose: In a spirit of collaboration and charity, to further the spiritual and religious mission of the Diocese of Colorado Springs by assisting the Judicial Vicar by acting as Tribunal Judge performing duties such as reading, researching law, preparing Definitive Sentences and ruling in matrimonial cases.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Intake of new petitions for a declaration of nullity: Act as first point of contact with petitioners. Determine case type. Explain process, requirements, and rights of the parties. Receive new formal petitions - read and analyze, create report identifying potential grounds, and decide whether to accept or reject case.

Research: Research canon law, Rotal jurisprudence, Papal allocutions, Apostolic Signatura responses and more for support of Judge's role. Enter, catalog, and maintain research for easy access. Write law sections for Definitive Sentences in scholarly manner so that law section is tailored to the circumstances of the case.
Definitive Sentence: Compose Definitive Sentences or voti.
Make voti of every case.
Formal cases: Offer advice to petitioners regarding witnesses to include or exclude in given case. Evaluate witness testimony as presented, requesting additional witnesses, or other documentation, as necessary. Participate in judicial exams, as needed. Coordinate all appeals of negative decisions.
Pauline cases: Responsible for the instruction of Pauline cases, including receiving of petitions, creation of letters and decrees for Bishop's and Judicial Vicar's signatures, collection of witness testimony, etc.
Petrine and Non-Consummatum cases: Responsible for all cases being sent to Rome. Coordinate and communicate with petitioners' processes and requirements. Ensure case instruction is in accordance with norms. Create letters and decrees for Bishop's and Judicial Vicar's signatures, collect witnesses' testimony, coordinate and facilitate reports from the Defender of the Bond, Instructing Judge, and Bishop. Organize cases according to Roman standards, photocopy, bind, and send cases to Rome.
Perform other administrative duties as needed and under the direction of the Judicial Vicar.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: License in Canon Law (JCL).

Experience: Minimum of three years of Tribunal work required. Reading proficiency in Latin, a plus. Must be a Roman Catholic in good standing.

Other background demonstrating application of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Bilingual in English/Spanish highly preferred for this position
Knowledge and expertise in Canon Law.
Ability to work faithfully within Church magisterium and canonical process.
Knowledge of Catholic Church and its organizational structure.
Knowledge of the process for a declaration of nullity.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and written. Ability to actively listen to others.
Ability to conduct library and internet research.
Ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
Ability to be non-judgmental, and sensitive to the personal and spiritual needs of clients.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
Ability to prioritize and self-direct workload, to be organized, and to work with strict deadlines.
Ability to communicate with others with tact, sensitivity, diplomacy, and compassion.
Ability to handle difficult or angry clients, while maintaining composure.

Application Link: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.diocs.org/Portals/0/Documents/Offices/Human Resources/Application - Diocesan Employment rev_7-27-21%20- fillable-2.pdf?ver=SeunFEPv1lqFNP0E8JgJrw==

Send completed applications and resumes to HR@diocs.org

For further information or questions, please contact Human Resources at the Catholic Pastoral Center: 719-636-2345

About the Employer

As Catholics in the Diocese of Colorado Springs, led by our Bishop and in communion with our Holy Father the Pope, we are committed to deepening our union with Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, and formation - and to bringing Christ to the world through word, witness, and service.