Golden Jubilee For Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference National Marriage Tribunal T he National Marriage Tribunal is an office established by Canon Law as the judicial arm of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference [ZCBC]. As such, it is the court system of the Church. It enables people marry in Church, have their unions recognized by the Church, participate in the sacraments or have their consciences quieted. It is the canonical forum for the resolution of legal questions arising from the activity of the Church and of the Faithful especially in marriage cases. The Tribunal also houses the first Instance Court of all Zimbabwe's eight Catholic Dioceses. By delegation, the Tribunal also handles all matters of permissions and annulments pertaining to marriage. The mission of the Tribunal is to safeguard the rights of individuals and the common good. It promotes truth and justice in all judicial matters. The Marriage Tribunal also upholds the supreme law of the Church. It provides salvation of souls by granting annulments to broken marriages and free those who want to go back to the sacraments. Early Stages of Resuscitating and Establishment of the Church's Tribunals in Zimbabwe 1.1.1 The first “office at Archbishop's private quarters The National Marriage Tribunal of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference has its beginning in a humble and non- professional setting. It started its offices in private quarters of the Archbishop's House with Sr Guido Meyer as its secretary. The only equipment available was an electronic typewriter, which caused many problems when attempting six copies by one typing process. The typewriter had to be serviced three times before the secretary started her new appointment. Access to the Tribunal was only possible after an appointment had been arranged. The interviews for marriage annulments took place in the only parlour of the Archbishop's house on the ground floor. It was a bare room with no possibility of brightening up the atmosphere for petitioners who came with a heavy heart to apply 57