General Summary of the Position

Functions as Ecclesiastical Notary to the Tribunal and provides support services to the Tribunal under the direction of the Director of Canonical Affairs in order to fulfill the mission of the Tribunal, which is the adjudication of petitions for invalidity of marriage (about 400 a year); processing of dispensations/permissions for the celebration of marriages in the church (about 850 a year), and canonical research. This position interacts on a daily basis not only with the Director but also with other Auditors and Procurator-Advocates, Judges, and Defenders, parish personnel, and the Judicial Vicar.

 

Carries out the office of Notary as described in the 1983 Code of Canon Law (cc. 1437; 1473; 1474, §1; 1475, §2; 1503, §2; 1561; 1567; 1568; 1569; 1605; 1630, §2; 1664), in revisions to the 1983 Code of Canon Law under Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus (cc.1671-1691), in Dignitas Connubii (aa. 33-37; 62; 63; 73; 74; 75; 174), and in Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus (articles 1-21).

 

May be asked to carry out the work of Auditor as described in the 1983 Code of Canon Law (cc. 1425, §4; 1428, 1448, §2; 1455; 1457, §2; 1561) and in Dignitas Connubii (aa. 33 – 37; 50; 51; 73; 74; 75; 155; 158).

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Position

– Reviews data from prenuptial papers to solicit more information as needed.
– Creates documents, from dictation and hand-written drafts, for nullity cases, prenuptial papers, and other projects.
– Creates/maintains database for each prenuptial packet.
– Interacts with clergy and lay ministers in this and other dioceses in the processing of prenuptial paperwork.
– Creates and revises forms in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese with the help of translators as required.
– Creates documents for prenuptial packets through merge process.
– In the role of Notary, certifies the authenticity of judicial acts and the accuracy of interrogations and authenticates documents from Petitioners and Respondents, Procurator-Advocates, witnesses and other dioceses.
– Performs administrative duties to support the work of the Tribunal such as, but not limited to:
1.    Reporting prenuptial fees to the Business Office once a month.

2.    Maintaining Excel sheets based on what is in the manual log to reflect prenuptial packets received.

3.    Supporting the Director with the budget process such as typing the budget for annual presentation; maintaining the individual account sheets to reflect every transaction; interacting with the Business Office to reconcile monthly statements; and checking monthly statements.

4.    Taking and transcribing minutes.

5.    Sending to and retrieving from offsite case storage and maintaining all associated records.

6.    Developing an understanding of the technical aspects of the Tribunal’s database(s).

7.    Preparing for workshops including receiving reservations, emailing handouts, setting up food, projecting on white board during presentation.

8.    Providing support to maintain appointment files for Tribunal officials.

9.    Photocopying articles from canonical journals.

10. Maintaining Tribunal files, in hard copy or digitally, such as Law Sections, Prenuptial Agreements, etc.

11. Assists with the preparation of the annual reports to the Holy See.

12. Maintaining supplies and determining when to order, placing orders, approving orders for payment and giving invoices to the Director to generate payment.

13. Updating labels for cabinets in library and workroom and moving files, with assistance, as needed.

14. Mailing out sacramental notices to parishes from other Dioceses.

15. Handling prenuptial packet requests from other dioceses within and outside the country.

16. Working with the Director to maintain a current inventory of prenuptial files.

17. Interacting with public via telephone, email, and/or in person, particularly as a representative of the Tribunal.

18. Maintaining log sheets for the manual log.

19. Available to serve on the first-floor receptionist desk if/when called upon.

20. Processing incoming and outgoing mail

21. Performing other duties to be mutually agreed upon with the Director.

 

Position Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

– Computer-literacy with a proficiency in Word and the capability to work with legal software.
– Ability to communicate effectively with clergy, lay parish ministers, and other entities.
– Possession of characteristics relative to integrity, courtesy, unimpaired reputation and ability to maintain confidentiality.
– Demonstrated initiative and good judgment.
– Willingness to participate in professional development opportunities.
– Good previous work record.
– An appreciation for the detailed nature of the work.
– Bilingual in either English and Spanish or in English and Vietnamese, preferred.
Education and Experience:

– High school diploma or GED; some college, preferred
– Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Access, Excel
– One to two years of administrative experience
Special Requirements:

– Capability of working a 35-hour work week with the willingness, on occasion, at the request of the Director, to adjust schedule.
– Commitment to the work of the Tribunal.
– Practicing Catholic.
Physical Requirements Specific to the Job:

·         N/A

 

DO NOT REMOVE

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position. The duties and responsibilities of the position may be changed at the sole discretion of the Diocese of Dallas – Pastoral Center.

 

The Diocese of Dallas – Pastoral Center reserves the right to modify this job description without notice to the employee. This job description is not a contract and does not alter the employee’s at-will employment status.