Recourse Against Administrative Decrees

Church law provides the opportunity for those claiming to be aggrieved by a decree to seek recourse in accord with the Code of Canon Law. It should be noted that Church Law (canon 1733) urges that parties in any dispute be encouraged to seek reconciliation even if formal recourse has been initiated.

Canons 1732 through 1739 identify the process for seeking recourse against administrative decrees and most other individual administrative acts if no solution is able to be negotiated.

In this instance, in which Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, on September 18, 2009, in accord with canon 515 §2, DECREED, ANNOUNCED and PUBLISHED the merger of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, 23 W. Chestnut Avenue, Vineland and the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 410 S. 8th Street, Vineland and the establishment of Divine Mercy Parish, the following process for seeking reconciliation and recourse against this decision is also published:

1. Before initiating formal recourse, a written petition from a person (canon 96) who considers himself or herself aggrieved by this decree must be directed to:

Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante

Camden Diocesan Center

631 Market Street

Camden, New Jersey 08102

Fax: 856-338-0376

In this letter, the person must first seek relief by requesting revocation or amendment of this decree (canon 1734 §1). In this same letter, the person should supply their mailing address so that the Bishop may respond. This initial petition must be received within a time limit of ten (10) business days of the legal notification of this decree (canon 1734 §2). Bishop Galante directs that this decree is to be published in the diocesan newspaper the Catholic Star Herald on Friday, September 18, 2009, and announced at all weekend Masses in Saint Francis of Assisi Parish and the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on Saturday, September 19, 2009 and Sunday, September 20, 2009. Therefore, the obligation to present in writing a request for revocation or amendment of this decree must be received by Bishop Galante’s office no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 2, 2009.

2. Bishop Galante has a period of thirty days within which to respond to this petition for revocation or amendment (canon 1735). During this period of time, Bishop Galante may suspend the execution of this decree, or the person who considers himself or herself aggrieved may submit a special petition to the Congregation for the Clergy [see address below] for suspension of the execution of this decree (canon 1736).

3. In responding to the substance of the petition it is envisioned that Bishop Galante may take one of three courses of action (canon 1735):

a. Bishop Galante may act in a way that satisfies the person who considers himself or herself to have been aggrieved.

b. Bishop Galante, may, within thirty (30) days respond to the petition by either denying the request or issuing a new or amended decree that still leaves the person, who considers himself or herself aggrieved, dissatisfied.

c. Bishop Galante may choose not to respond to the initial petition. In this instance, the time period for the person who considers himself or herself aggrieved to initiate formal recourse begins on the thirtieth day after the petition for revocation or amendment was submitted.

4. If, the Bishop’s response leaves the person who considers himself or herself aggrieved still dissatisfied, then the author of the initial petition seeking revocation or amendment of this decree has fifteen (15) business days to initiate formal recourse to the Congregation for the Clergy (canon 1737 §2).

5. In this instance, the recourse is addressed to the Congregation for the Clergy. This can be submitted directly to the following address:

Most Reverend Mauro Piacenza

Secretary

Congregation for the Clergy

Piazza Pio XII 3

00193 Rome, Italy

Or, through the office of the Apostolic Nunciature:

Most Reverend Pietro Sambi

Apostolic Nuncio to the United States

3339 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20008-3610

Or, through the office of Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante:

Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante

Camden Diocesan Center

631 Market Street

Camden, New Jersey 08102

Fax: 856-338-0376

Canon law requires that whoever receives the recourse to the Congregation for the Clergy must transmit it immediately (canon 1737 §1). If the author of the formal recourse sends it directly to the Congregation for the Clergy, Bishop Galante should be notified by the person sending it to the Congregation that it has been filed.

6. The person making recourse against this decree has the right to engage the services of a canon lawyer (canon 1738).

7. If the Congregation for the Clergy does not act within three (3) consecutive months of receiving the recourse, canon law presumes that the response is negative (canon 57). If there has been no response within the three (3) months, or if the Congregation for the Clergy has issued a decision that leaves the person who considers himself or herself aggrieved still dissatisfied, then the person making the recourse has the right to make further recourse against the decision of the Congregation for the Clergy to the Apostolic Signatura within thirty (30) calendar days of the expiration of the three (3) month period, or thirty (30) calendar days from the receipt of the Congregation’s decision.