How would an estranged Catholic couple be married?

[TK421]

If there was a Catholic couple living in a distant and estranged country, where Catholicism was almost non-existent, how would this couple go about being validly married? Kind of a random question that came to mind when I was watching a post-apocalyptic movie where civilization was all-but destroyed.

 

[bilop]

If there was a Catholic couple living in a distant and estranged country, where Catholicism was almost non-existent, how would this couple go about being validly married? Kind of a random question that came to mind when I was watching a post-apocalyptic movie where civilization was all-but destroyed.

If a priest or deacon is legitimately unavailable (like in North Korea) the couple can marry each other w/o one by exchanging vows.

The husband and wife are the ministers and the proper matter of the sacrament of matrimony. The clergyman is a witness. The witness is not strictly necessary for this sacrament; though Church law requires it if a clergyman is available.

God Bless

 

[TK421]

k. I wanted to know ahead of time just in case mutant zombie take over the world. This is important information. (i.e. I didn’t want to bug the apologists about it )

 

[sw85]

In other cases the Church may delegate authority to a layperson to witness the marriage; I’m given to understand this is common in places where there are relatively few priests per square mile, like Africa.

 

[Phemie]

In other cases the Church may delegate authority to a layperson to witness the marriage; I’m given to understand this is common in places where there are relatively few priests per square mile, like Africa.

It happens in my diocese in Eastern Canada. Usually those laypersons are Sisters acting as Pastoral Assistants in parishes where a priest is only seen a few times a year.
It’s not a frequent practice, but it does happen.