The Diocesan Curia is the name given to the offices which help the Bishop to shepherd the people of the Diocese. The following paragraphs explore four of these offices: the Vicar General (VG) who is also ‘Moderator of the Curia’, the Chancellor, the Archives, and the Diocesan Tribunal.
The Vicar General assists the Bishop throughout the Diocese, acting in his name and with his authority, and always in accordance with his will and mind. Much of the work of the Vicar General concerns the day-to-day administration of the Diocese, and he is often the first ‘port of call’ for those with enquiries or concerns. As ‘Moderator of the Curia’, it is the Vicar General’s task to make sure that the offices of the Curia are directed towards the same objective, helping the Bishop to shepherd the flock entrusted to his pastoral care, and facilitating the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Vicar General meets regularly with the Bishop and the other members of the Episcopal Council, who have specific responsibilities in the pastoral field of Christian Formation, and for the life of the Church in Surrey, Sussex, Brighton and Hove.
The Chancellor is also the principal ‘Notary' or ‘Secretary' of the Diocesan Curia. He responsible for drawing up documents on behalf of the Bishop and making sure that the canonical processes involved in Diocesan life are properly followed. Much of the day-to-day work of the Chancery is handled by the Chancellor’s Personal Assistant (PA), particularly the processing of marriage papers for couples preparing for weddings within the Diocese, and those whose weddings are taking place elsewhere. The Chancery PA works in the office from Monday to Friday providing an initial point of contact for people telephoning or emailing with a wide range of enquiries.
The Archives preserve the more important documents and artefacts concerning the history of the Diocese. Our Diocese was created in 1965 and is, therefore, relatively new. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of historical material kept in the Archives, especially with regard to the history of our many parishes. Anyone wishing to examine public documents for research purposes can apply to the Archivist who acts as Curator of the Archives and oversees its day-to-day running.
The Church understands marriage to be an intimate partnership of life and love, one which is permanent, faithful and fruitful. We acknowledge the sad reality that for various reasons relationships sometimes end in separation and civil divorce, in situations where a marriage has ended the Tribunal are able to offer pastoral care and assistance to those involved. After a thorough investigation it may be possible to declare a marriage null or invalid, leaving open the possibility of another marriage being entered into which would be recognised by the Church. Our Matrimonial Tribunal includes a staff of clerics and lay people, men and women, who are qualified and trained to determine whether or not a particular marriage may be annulled. This undertaking is regulated by the requirements of Church Law and is seen as an important aspect of our pastoral care for marriage and family life. If you wish to contact the Tribunal Administrator they will be pleased to guide you through the process and answer any questions you might have.
