Coordinator of the Tribunal

Job Description

Judge & Coordinator of the Tribunal

The Diocese of Madison is hiring a canonist to serve full-time as Judge and Coordinator of the Tribunal, overseeing day-to-day Tribunal operations under the direction of the Judicial Vicar. Additionally, for the Diocesan Bishop, the non-judicial curia, and the diocese as a whole, he/she advises on canonical matters and prepares drafts of decrees and other canonical documents, as needed.

Primary Job Functions
Serve as judge in the tribunal, conducting canonical processes and judging cases in accordance with the norm of law
Instruct cases, conducting in-person depositions of parties and witnesses
Write decrees and sentences, as well as intermediary vota and other documents in cases
Instruct petitions for the Petrine and Pauline Privileges and dispensations super rato
Regularly study doctrine and jurisprudence
Draft Tribunal correspondence
Translate Rotal documents from Latin
Advise the Diocesan Bishop and Vicar General on canonical matters
Field canonical questions from other curial personnel, from priests of the diocese, and from the faithful
Maintain the Tribunal website
Prepare the annual budget/monitor expenses
Supervise and train notaries and pre-petition case advisors
Supervise independent contractors (stable advocates, transcriptionists, experts)
Maintain and revise forms, documents, and explanatory material as needed

Minimum Required Qualifications:
JCL with an MA or equivalent in theology
Must be a Catholic in good standing and adhere to the doctrine and moral teaching of the Church, especially with respect to marriage
Strong grasp of procedural canon law and knowledge of Rotal jurisprudence
Competence in reading Latin
Knowledge of office software
Internet and email proficiency
Ability to manage and supervise employees

Preferred Qualifications:
Bilingual in Spanish

This job description is not designed or intended to be a comprehensive or exhaustive list of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of an employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualified applicants are invited to send an introductory email with your resume and a canonical writing sample (professional or academic, redacted if necessary) to the Very Rev. Gabriel Lopez-Betanzos, Judicial Vicar, at tribunal@madisondiocese.org.

For questions, please contact the Tribunal office at tribunal@madisondiocese.org or 608-821-3060.

Tribunal Website: https://madisondiocese.org/tribunal
Living in Madison: madison.wisc.edu

About the Employer

We serve to ensure that every individual in the Diocese of Madison is graciously invited every day to meet the person of Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, face to face and be changed by him.