Are these documents really required?

[AnneBOK]

Hi -
I asked this question a few weeks ago in “Ask an Appologist” but since there has been no response I was hoping that maybe someone here could answer.

Are both these doccumnets required by Cannon Law before a wedding can be performed in the church or are either one or both opttional:

1)Pre-marital questionaire (inventory?)
2)Affidavit from a second party stating that each person is available and able to marry?

thanks so much!
Anne

 

[cameron_lansing]

Are both these doccumnets required by Cannon Law before a wedding can be performed in the church or are either one or both opttional:
1)Pre-marital questionaire (inventory?)
2)Affidavit from a second party stating that each person is available and able to marry?

Yes.

Such documents are means by which the freedom and proper intention of the parties are investigated and established and / or some record of that made prior to the celebration of the sacrament.

As canon 1066 provides, “Before marriage is celebrated, it must be evident that nothing stands in the way of its valid and licit celebration.”

Canon 1067 says that "the conference of bishops is to issue norms concerning the examination of the parties. "

This was done in 2000, and can be viewed at usccb.org/norms/1067.htm .

Almost all (if not all) diocesan bishops then would require some kind of documents which guide and record the process.

By a “pre-marital questionnaire,” I understand you to mean something other than some kind of inventory of attitudes and values (such as a Focus inventory). Each party is questioned separately and under oath regarding religious history and practice, freedom to marry, intention to marry properly, etc. A certified and annotated certificate of Catholic baptism is obtained as a part of the investigation. If one party is a baptized non Catholic, some record to establish that is obtained if possible. If one cannot be, an affidavit from a qualified witness might be sought in either case. Any decrees of nullity or death certificates related to prior marriages are obtained. as well.

The practice of using an affidavit from a second party stating that each person is available and able to marry varies. Some dioceses require it as a matter of course. Other use it only when it is needed to clarify a doubtful situation.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi -
Are both these doccumnets required by Cannon Law before a wedding can be performed in the church or are either one or both opttional:

1)Pre-marital questionaire (inventory?)
2)Affidavit from a second party stating that each person is available and able to marry?

thanks so much!
Anne

both are required by the particular law of this diocese, along with a recent (within 6 months) baptismal certificate showing all sacraments received to date.