Rachel Evans
Catholicism has strict rules about marriage, and the Catholic Church provides guidance on how to prepare for a Catholic wedding. The Church teaches that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman, and that it is ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. While the Church does not explicitly state whether spouses or children should be prioritized, it emphasizes that spouses should be one flesh, one unit and that their love for each other forms the foundation for their love for others. The Church also emphasizes the importance of being open to having children within a marriage, and this is considered an essential part of Catholic marriage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic marriage requirements | Spouses must be free to marry and exchange their consent, intend to marry for life, be faithful, and be open to children. Their consent must be given in the presence of two witnesses and a church minister. |
| Catholic marriage and children | Being open to children is considered essential in Catholic marriages. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the matrimonial covenant is "by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring." |
| Catholic marriage preparation | The Catholic Church offers marriage preparation programs that cover topics such as the meaning of marriage, faith, prayer, roles in marriage, communication, conflict resolution, and parenthood. |
| Catholic marriage and non-Catholics | The Catholic Church has traditionally opposed marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics, but now permits marriages between Catholics and validly baptized non-Catholic Christians with permission from a "competent authority." |
| Catholic marriage and divorce | The Catholic Church does not recognize civil divorce of a natural marriage but can dissolve a natural marriage in certain cases, such as to maintain the faith of a Christian. |
| Catholic same-sex marriage | The Catholic Church opposes civil and religious same-sex marriage and holds that same-sex unions are detrimental to children and society. However, there is growing support for LGBT rights among Catholics in some regions. |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholics are expected to be open to having children
- A Catholic marriage is invalid if there is a permanent intention against having children
- A Catholic marriage is also invalid if the couple intends to exclude God
- Catholics are encouraged to marry other Catholics
- Catholics can marry non-Catholic Christians if they receive permission from a competent authority
Catholics are expected to be open to having children
Catholicism has a set of rules and guidelines that followers are expected to adhere to. One of the key aspects of Catholic doctrine is the belief in the sanctity of marriage and family. According to Catholic teachings, a valid Catholic marriage is one where the spouses are free to marry, they freely exchange their consent, they intend to marry for life and be faithful to one another, and their consent is given in the presence of witnesses and an authorized church minister.
An important aspect of Catholic marriage is the expectation that couples are open to having children. This is based on the belief that procreation and child-rearing are the primary purposes of marriage, with the unitive aspect being secondary. The Church teaches that each marital act must retain its intrinsic relationship to the procreation of life and that couples should never actively impede the possibility of conception. While the Church encourages procreation, it is not mandatory for each act of intercourse to intend pregnancy. The Church accepts the use of natural family planning (NFP) methods, where intercourse occurs during a woman's infertile periods, as long as the couple does not intentionally thwart the procreative purpose of sex.
The expectation of being open to having children also extends to the requirement that Catholic spouses make every effort to have their children baptized and raised in the Catholic faith. This is considered an essential part of the Catholic identity and community. However, it is worth noting that the non-Catholic spouse is not required to promise to raise the children as Catholics, but they should be made aware of the Catholic spouse's undertaking.
While the Church emphasizes the importance of being open to having children, it also acknowledges that there may be just reasons for couples to delay or refrain from having children. In such cases, the Church encourages couples to seek guidance from priests or other Church authorities to navigate their specific circumstances while remaining within the boundaries of Catholic doctrine.
Overall, the Catholic Church's teachings on marriage and family life reflect its belief in the sanctity of life and the importance of procreation and child-rearing within the context of a sacramental marriage.
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A Catholic marriage is invalid if there is a permanent intention against having children
The Catholic Church considers a marriage invalid if there is a permanent intention against having children. This is because, in the eyes of the Church, a valid Catholic marriage results from four elements: the spouses are free to marry; they freely exchange their consent; in consenting to marry, they have the intention to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to children; and their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorised Church minister.
The Church asks priests to prepare for approximately eight years before being ordained. Couples should contact their church before booking a venue for the reception, sending out save-the-dates, etc. Most churches require at least six months of preparation before a wedding, and some require more. The Catholic Church also provides classes several months before marriage to help participants inform their consent.
If a Catholic wishes to marry outside of a Catholic church, they can contact their local bishop, who can permit a wedding in another church or another suitable place for a sufficient reason. For example, a Catholic seeking to marry a Baptist whose father is the pastor of the local Baptist church. In these circumstances, the bishop could permit the couple to marry in the Baptist church. This permission is called a "dispensation from canonical form".
A Catholic marriage is also considered invalid if it lacks canonical form. For Catholics, marriage must be celebrated in a particular form. Canon 1108 states that "only those marriages are valid which are contracted before the local ordinary, pastor, or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them, who assist, and before two witnesses". This canon only binds when one of the parties is Catholic; if it is not followed by a Catholic party, the marriage is invalid.
If a Catholic has an invalid marriage, they can approach their pastor to try to resolve the situation. A radical sanation can be granted by the diocesan bishop, even if several reasons for nullity exist in the same marriage, provided that certain conditions are met. One of these conditions is that "the Catholic party is to declare that he or she is prepared to remove dangers of defecting from the faith and is to make a sincere promise to do all in his or her power in order that all the children be baptized and brought up in the Catholic Church".
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A Catholic marriage is also invalid if the couple intends to exclude God
A Catholic marriage is a lifelong commitment and a sacrament that mirrors Jesus and the Church. It is a sacred bond that cannot be broken, and it requires the presence of God. When a couple exchanges nuptial consent, a valid marriage is formed, but if even one thing is lacking, the marriage will be declared null.
Another way a couple can exclude God from their marriage is by choosing to marry outside the Church without permission or dispensation. This is considered a sin because it fails to meet the requirements set by the Church. Additionally, if a couple intends to exclude the religious education of their offspring, their marriage is invalidated. This is because the education of any resulting children, including their religious education, must not be excluded.
Furthermore, a marriage can be invalidated if one or both spouses intend to exclude marriage itself. This could be through a positive act of the will or by excluding an essential element or property of marriage. For example, if a spouse intends to have other spouses or sexual relations, they exclude the unity of marriage.
It is important to note that a Catholic marriage is not solely between a man and a woman but also involves God. The presence of God in the sacrament of marriage is essential, and excluding Him renders the union invalid.
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Catholics are encouraged to marry other Catholics
The Catholic Church has traditionally opposed marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics, considering them a "degradation of the holy character of matrimony". The Church has long held that such marriages present an obstacle to Catholic faith, an idea referred to as "mixed religion" or "disparity of worship".
However, it is possible for Catholics to marry non-Catholic Christians if they receive permission from a "competent authority", usually a local bishop. In this case, the marriage is considered valid and sacramental. The Catholic party must promise to do all they can to have their children baptised and brought up in the Catholic faith. The non-Catholic party must be made aware of this undertaking.
If a Catholic wishes to marry a non-Catholic Christian, the wedding can be held in a Catholic church or a non-Catholic Christian church, but permission from a bishop is required for the marriage to be considered valid.
If a Catholic wishes to marry a non-Christian, the marriage is considered non-sacramental, but it may still be valid in the eyes of the Church. A priest or deacon may witness such marriages if permission is granted.
Marriage preparation programs are available to help couples understand the Christian and human aspects of marriage, including communication, conflict resolution, and parenthood.
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Catholics can marry non-Catholic Christians if they receive permission from a competent authority
The Catholic Church has traditionally opposed marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics, seeing it as a degradation of the holy character of matrimony. However, the Church does permit Catholics to marry validly baptized non-Catholic Christians if they receive permission from a "competent authority". This permission is known as a “dispensation from canonical form” or a “dispensation from disparity of cult”, depending on whether the non-Catholic partner is a Christian or non-Christian, respectively. The competent authority is usually the Catholic party's local ordinary, who can grant permission if there is a just and reasonable cause. The Catholic party must also undertake to remove dangers of defecting from the faith and to do their best to have any children baptized and raised in the Catholic Church. The non-Catholic party must be made aware of this undertaking.
If a Catholic wishes to marry outside of the Catholic Church, they can seek permission from their local bishop to do so. The bishop may permit the wedding to take place in another church or suitable location if there is a sufficient reason, such as the non-Catholic partner's father being the pastor of the local church. While the Catholic Church does not consider marriages between Catholics and non-Christians to be sacramental, they are still considered valid in the eyes of the Church with the proper permission.
Marriage preparation programs are available in Catholic parishes to help couples understand the Christian and human aspects of marriage, including topics such as communication, conflict resolution, and children and parenthood. These programs can also assist couples with the permission process for marrying a non-Catholic. It is recommended that couples contact their parish as soon as they decide to get married to begin the marriage preparation process and ensure that their wedding ceremony complies with Church requirements.
While it is ideal for couples to be “on the same page” regarding their religion and how they will raise their children, it is not recommended for a non-Catholic to convert to Catholicism solely for the sake of their spouse or future in-laws. Instead, the decision to convert should be based on a personal calling from God. If the non-Catholic partner is validly baptized, the marriage is considered sacramental, and God's grace is given to the couple.
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Frequently asked questions
A valid Catholic marriage is the result of four elements: the spouses are free to marry, they freely exchange their consent, they intend to marry for life and be faithful to one another, and their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and a church minister.
Catholic Christians can marry non-Catholic Christians if they receive permission from a "competent authority", usually the Catholic party's local ordinary. The non-Catholic spouse does not have to promise to raise the children as Catholic, but the Catholic spouse must promise to do so.
Depending on the diocese and parish, programs include a weekend program with other couples, sessions in large or small groups, or meetings with an experienced married couple. Some may be offered in languages other than English.
