Church weddings

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dcndave

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When did the Church start doing weddings with-in the church buildings and done by clergy?
 
Hi DC,

From the earliest days marriage was considered a sacred act. St. Paul compares it to the relationship between Christ and His Church. Christian marriage is a sacrament, that is it carries in itsef the graces necessary to fulfil one’s duties as partner and parent. Since it is a sacrament the Church has jurisdiction over it and dertermines the conditions of its validity.

It should, however, be pointed out that a valid Christian marriage, although normally performed in church and within the celebration of the Mass, does not have to be in church or within a Mass. As long as there are two witnesses and a priest or deacon present, the marriage is valid. Even the priest or deacon can be dispensed with in special circumstances. See the various canons on marriage :

ourladyswarriors.org/canon/c0840-1165.htm#par2183

Does this answer your question?

Verbum
 
The idea of a Church-approved wedding goes back to the earliest times:
But it becomes both men and women who marry, to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust. (Letter of Ignatius to Polycarp, chapter 5, written about A.D. 107)
 
Hi DC,

From the earliest days marriage was considered a sacred act. St. Paul compares it to the relationship between Christ and His Church. Christian marriage is a sacrament, that is it carries in itsef the graces necessary to fulfil one’s duties as partner and parent. Since it is a sacrament the Church has jurisdiction over it and dertermines the conditions of its validity.

It should, however, be pointed out that a valid Christian marriage, although normally performed in church and within the celebration of the Mass, does not have to be in church or within a Mass. As long as there are two witnesses and a priest or deacon present, the marriage is valid. Even the priest or deacon can be dispensed with in special circumstances. See the various canons on marriage :

ourladyswarriors.org/canon/c0840-1165.htm#par2183

Does this answer your question?

Verbum
Thanks, but not really. What I was trying to get info on was when the church actually started performing weddings. A friend indicated that he thought the church didn’t start doing weddings until much later that the third century.
Dcn. Dave
 
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