The Interdiocesan Tribunal: Dying Institution or Possible Solution?

An examination of the history and development of interdiocesan tribunals reveals their implementation for more than eighty years as a means by which to ensure the proper administration of justice in the processing of causes. In order for this proper administration to occur, tribunals must be populated with ministers whose expertise in the matters to be adjudicated and availability to devote adequate time and energy to the process truly qualifies them for this grave task. The current scarcity of ministers with adequate knowledge of penal law, especially on the level of the particular church, is an obstacle to justice in the processing of penal causes with expedience and accuracy. By combining the ministers and resources of multiple dioceses, interdiocesan penal tribunals could contribute to the removal of this obstacle in the future.