Chancery Office

Welcome to the Chancery Office. We’re happy to assist the Bishop in providing canonical consultation, promoting the artistic and historical heritage of our Diocese, drafting, issuing and safeguarding official documents and maintaining official records of the Diocesan Curia.

The Chancery Office assists the bishop of the diocese by providing the chief secretarial service for the Diocesan Curia and overseeing the Diocesan Archive. The office is responsible for:

  • Publishing the weekly Chancery Bulletin
  • Drafting, issuing and safeguarding official Curial documents
  • Maintaining official records of the Diocesan Curia
  • Providing canonical consultation in areas of church law
  • Preserving and promoting the artistic and historical heritage of the diocese

Chancery Staff

The Chancellor, Very Rev. William Dhein serves in the following capacities:

  • Corporate Secretary of the Diocese of La Crosse, Inc.
  • Corporate Member of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, Inc.
  • Member, Board of Directors for St. Joseph’s Priest Fund
  • Data preparation for the Official Catholic Directory and the Wisconsin Pastoral Handbook
  • Defender of the Bond for the Tribunal
  • Supervises the process for Dispensations and Permission for Marriage, and for Declarations of Nullity based on Lack of Form
  • Executes duties as required by church law pertaining to the role of the Chancellor

The Vice Chancellor, Rev. Kurt Apfelbeck

  • Assists the Chancellor in the fulfillment of canonical duties pertaining to dispensations and permissions for marriage, and for declarations of nullity based on Lack of Form
  • Serves as notary in the chancellor’s absence

The Diocesan Archivist, Rev. Kurt Apfelbeck

  • Manages the historical archive of the diocese in accordance with church law
  • Develops and maintains records management for the Diocesan Curia
  • Assists parishes and other diocesan institutions in managing their archives
  • Provides historical research service to the offices and departments of the Diocesan Curia
  • Coordinates the collection and filming of parish sacramental registries
  • Supervises the use of the Diocesan Archives for research
  • Appraises and process archival materials

Administrative Assistant, Maryjo Wilson

  • Provides secretarial assistance in all matters pertaining to the Chancery Offices
  • Maintains the central mailing lists for the Diocesan Curia
  • Prepares data for the Official Catholic Directory and Wisconsin Pastoral Handbook
  • Prepares ecclesiastical documents
  • Maintains filing systems
  • Performs essential bookkeeping functions for the Chancery Office
Form A - Application for Dispensation – Permission for Marriages
Form M-A - Prenuptial Questionnaire
Form M-B - Prenuptial Supporting Witness
Form M-C - Form for Invalid Marriages due to Defect of Form, Lack of Form, or Ligamen
Form M-P - Form for Mixed Marriage Promises
Form M-R - Marriage Reservation
Handbook for Sacramental Records

Contact Information

Chancellor – Very Rev. William Dhein

Vice Chancellor – Rev. Kurt Apfelbeck

Diocesan Archivist – Rev. Kurt Apfelbeck

Administraive Assistant- Maryjo Wilson