Catholics marrying outside the church?

[ccpoisonivy]

I am writing to ask if a marriage between two baptized, practicing Catholics would be valid if done outside the Church (say by a justice of the peace). I have looked on here for 2 hours and not found any real answers. If possible, please use Church documents to support your answer, not feelings (although feelings are valid, they are not evidence ).

Also, is there any time a young Catholic couple would be counseled to marry outside the Church as a “trial” run, then marry within the church at a later date if it works out? Would this first marriage be sin?

Thank you for any help!!

 

[Thomas63116]

I am writing to ask if a marriage between two baptized, practicing Catholics would be valid if done outside the Church (say by a justice of the peace). I have looked on here for 2 hours and not found any real answers. If possible, please use Church documents to support your answer, not feelings (although feelings are valid, they are not evidence ).

Also, is there any time a young Catholic couple would be counseled to marry outside the Church as a “trial” run, then marry within the church at a later date if it works out? Would this first marriage be sin?

Thank you for any help!!

I can’t give a canon law citation off the bat, but ordinarily no. Catholics are required to marry according to Catholic form. While a dispensation from canonical form can be issued by the bishop (which would make the marriage valid) I think it would have to be a very unusual circumstance to allow two Catholics to marry outside the Church. (I believe there may also be a provision in canon law allowing a couple to marry validly if they have no access to a priest for a certain period of time - again, a very unusual circumstance).

The Church does not believe in “trial” marriages, so I cannot imagine a situation where a couple would be encouraged to marry civilly as a “test run.” I believe this could be considered sacrelige (imitating a sacrament - marriage - while not actually having one).

 

[kage_ar]

To marry outside the Church, your Bishop must grant permission.

Canon 1115 Marriages are to be celebrated in the parish in which either of the contracting parties has a domicile or a quasi-domicile or a month’s residence or, if there is question of vagi, in the parish in which they are actually residing. With the permission of the proper Ordinary or the proper parish priest, marriages may be celebrated elsewhere.

catholicdoors.com/misc/marriage/canonlaw.htm

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No trial marriage

2391 Some today claim a “right to a trial marriage” where there is an intention of getting married later. However firm the purpose of those who engage in premature sexual relations may be, “the fact is that such liaisons can scarcely ensure mutual sincerity and fidelity in a relationship between a man and a woman, nor, especially, can they protect it from inconstancy of desires or whim.” Carnal union is morally legitimate only when a definitive community of life between a man and woman has been established. Human love does not tolerate “trial marriages.” It demands a total and definitive gift of persons to one another.

scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2391.htm

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Search the links for Canon Law and the Catechism to answer questions, that way you know you have official documents.

 

[ccpoisonivy]

Thank you both for your answers. This has helped me greatly. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Is there any reason a Priest would have told this couple they could both still receive communion knowing this is wrong in the eyes of the Church?

 

[Thomas63116]

Thank you both for your answers. This has helped me greatly. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Is there any reason a Priest would have told this couple they could both still receive communion knowing this is wrong in the eyes of the Church?

Given that we know nothing about the couple, thier situation, or what exactly this priest has told them it would only be speculation. . .

Perhaps they are working with this priest to have their marriage recognized by the Church (convalidation) and have agreed to refrain from marital relations until that process is completed?

 

[ccpoisonivy]

My apologizes for not giving the whole story. This is not being convalidated, merely a way to be married as a “trial”. Maybe the whole story wasn’t given to the priest as I wasn’t there. Thank you again for your help!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am writing to ask if a marriage between two baptized, practicing Catholics would be valid if done outside the Church (say by a justice of the peace). I have looked on here for 2 hours and not found any real answers. If possible, please use Church documents to support your answer, not feelings (although feelings are valid, they are not evidence ).

Also, is there any time a young Catholic couple would be counseled to marry outside the Church as a “trial” run, then marry within the church at a later date if it works out? Would this first marriage be sin?

Thank you for any help!!

No, It would lack canonical form, It would not conform to the Canon Law on Marriage.

 

[Seatuck]

My apologizes for not giving the whole story. This is not being convalidated, merely a way to be married as a “trial”. Maybe the whole story wasn’t given to the priest as I wasn’t there. Thank you again for your help!

Is there a pregnancy involved, or social benefit such as health insurance etc? I’ve heard of it in that kind of condition. Doesn’t make it correct canonically or morally.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

My apologizes for not giving the whole story. This is not being convalidated, merely a way to be married as a “trial”. Maybe the whole story wasn’t given to the priest as I wasn’t there. Thank you again for your help!

Why in the world would a couple who were both practicing Catholics think they need a ‘trial run’ at marriage?? If they have some reservations about the married state or each other, they need discernment which is a completely different thing. Engaged Encounter and marriage prep are designed to assist in that process.

If this couple is already married civilly, they should speak to their priest about a convalidation. And in the meantime, they should rid themselves of any thought that they are trying things out or play-acting!

 

[cameron_lansing]

To marry outside the Church, your Bishop must grant permission.

Canon 1115 Marriages are to be celebrated in the parish in which either of the contracting parties has a domicile or a quasi-domicile or a month’s residence or, if there is question of vagi, in the parish in which they are actually residing. With the permission of the proper Ordinary or the proper parish priest, marriages may be celebrated elsewhere.

.

That’s the wrong canon. It pertains to the place of the celebration (marriage in a certain territory) and not to canonical form. Brother Rich correctly identified that point

In this situation, you want canon 1108 §1. Only those marriages are valid which are contracted in the presence of the local ordinary or the pastor or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them, who assist, and in the presence of two witnesses, according to the rules expressed in the following canons, with due regard for the exceptions mentioned in cann. 144, 1112, §1, 1116 and 1127, §§ 1 and 2.

According to an authentic interpretation of the Holy See, the diocesan bishop cannot dispense from the obligation of canonical form when two Catholics wed one another.

 

[ccpoisonivy]

Thank you all for your answers. This couple has been dating for a few years and there is no pregnancy or health benefit involved. Just a desire to move the relationship forward. I honestly think that this is a case of bad advice. Also, I appreciate you candor Mrs. Sally. To all of you, this will help greatly.