Hypothetical love story in foreign country

[notredame_999]

if an american catholic went on vacation in another country and fell in love with a catholic of that nation, like italy or mexico, could they be married a few days after meeting in that country?

 

[MarkThompson]

if an american catholic went on vacation in another country and fell in love with a catholic of that nation, like italy or mexico, could they be married a few days after meeting in that country?

Probably not, though it may depend on norms established by the local ordinary or episcopal conference. See vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3W.HTM for some basics. E.g.:
Can. 1067 The conference of bishops is to establish norms about the examination of spouses and about the marriage banns or other opportune means to accomplish the investigations necessary before marriage. After these norms have been diligently observed, the pastor can proceed to assist at the marriage.

 

[Totterman]

Jesus,our Lords peace be whit You.
The first ansver wos about the possibility of marriege,and that takes moore then a few days. But that is not what I wanted to write,I would strongly recomend a bit longer time before marrie someone. Love is a strange thing,and there are two kinds of love,to be in love,and to love. Be in love is the first feeling,wich don’t last for ever,but to love someone,that feeling is for ever. So I advice all who are IN LOVE to wait untill YOU LOVE.
A marriege is for ever,and to be for ever it needs the time of get to know the other part,and first when You no longer are IN LOVE but LOVE it is time to marrie. I know that this wos not the ansver to Your question,but I wrote it anyway,because I needed to. Blessings,Totterman.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

if an american catholic went on vacation in another country and fell in love with a catholic of that nation, like italy or mexico, could they be married a few days after meeting in that country?

If the American Catholic came to England (I’m sure Italy or Mexico would be more romantic) then the answer would be no. In England six months notice is required. (BTW this is a Catholic Church requirement nothing to do with the civil law.) I also believe that if one of the two parties to the marriage is from overseas it takes longer because of course some of the paperwork required (e.g. baptism certificate) is in another country and takes longer to process. (Plus here it would take more than a few days to obtain the civil licence required.)

 

[Digitonomy]

I’m confident the bishop or perhaps even the pastor can give a dispensation from the norms for a good reason. However, if you’re trying to write a story, I’m at a loss as to what the most likely good reasons might be.

 

[malphono]

There are two things involved here: ecclesiastical law and civil law. The terms of both would have to be met before a recognized marriage could take place.

 

[ConstantineTG]

On the other hand, I know that the Church would tolerate a civil-marriage in this case if your intention is to get that person papers to go to the US and have the Sacramental marriage there. As long as you don’t have marital relations and there’s a good reason to pursue civil-marriage first, then it is allowed.

So if you met someone abroad and want to get married and obviously take that person back to the US, then a civil marriage may be your quickest option.

Most diocese I know require some sort of time to get a wedding going for various reasons.

 

[Cristiano]

if an american catholic went on vacation in another country and fell in love with a catholic of that nation, like italy or mexico, could they be married a few days after meeting in that country?

For Italy it depends on the sex of the person.

If the American is male and the female is Italian you would not be able to get married withing a few days. Her family would be looking for you with a shotgun.

If the American is a female and the male is Italian, it would be impossible because it would take more than a few days for the guy to commit and leave “momma” to go and live with another woman.

 

[ConstantineTG]

For Italy it depends on the sex of the person.

If the American is male and the female is Italian you would not be able to get married withing a few days. Her family would be looking for you with a shotgun.

If the American is a female and the male is Italian, it would be impossible because it would take more than a few days for the guy to commit and leave “momma” to go and live with another woman.

I believe this is a pretty common scenario around the world