Is it right to deny the Sacrament of Marriage?

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Nattyboom

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Good day,

I would like to know whether it is right for a Priest or Deceon to deny officiating at a wedding ceremony in the Catholic Church between a man and a women who wish to get married for the reason they claim that the two are not compatible?

God Bless!

Your Sister in Christ
 
A priest can delay the sacrament for two people when he believes they are unable to enter into a valid marriage. That delay might be indefinite if the situation is serious.

If the priest is unable to witness the marriage in good conscience, then yes he can refuse to do so. In fact, he cannot witness a marriage that he does not believe is being validly entered into.

It is the priest’s job to counsel those seeking the sacrament of marriage. Marriage is a permanent vocation. A couple exhibiting behaviors which make him doubt their ability to enter into the vocation validly is very serious.

Marriage is NOT a right, it is a vocation.

It would be wise for the couple in question to listen to their priest. Perhaps they need to work through their issues before considering marriage to each other or anyone else.
 
Nattyboom said:
Good day,

I would like to know whether it is right for a Priest or Deceon to deny officiating at a wedding ceremony in the Catholic Church between a man and a women who wish to get married for the reason they claim that the two are not compatible?

God Bless!

Your Sister in Christ
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Marriage is a natural right that the Church teaches we all have. However, the right is not absolute, it is relative. The Church may prohibit marriage on certain grounds. I cannot think of a situation where the priest/deacon who is preparing a couple for marriage would say: “I don’t think you two are compatible so you’re not getting married”. Can you please be more precise and tell us what you actually have in mind.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
I cannot think of a situation where the priest/deacon who is preparing a couple for marriage would say: “I don’t think you two are compatible so you’re not getting married”.
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I can.

A priest from my old parish had to refuse to witness a marriage for a couple he was preparing. In every single counseling and marriage preparation meeting he had with them, they devolved into a screaming match with each other. [This was known to others because this couple was so violently loud they could be heard throughout the parish office, even with the priest’s door closed.]

He could not in good conscience witness a marriage between two people in such a situation. So, he refused.
 
1ke said:
I can.

A priest from my old parish had to refuse to witness a marriage for a couple he was preparing. In every single counseling and marriage preparation meeting he had with them, they devolved into a screaming match with each other. [This was known to others because this couple was so violently loud they could be heard throughout the parish office, even with the priest’s door closed.]

He could not in good conscience witness a marriage between two people in such a situation. So, he refused.
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I agree with you that those two shouldn’t have married. What I said is true: “I cannot think of …”. Here you have the benefit of experience. My mind was going on a different track: I was focusing on impediments and age. With that example, I can clearly see where a priest might say that a couple are not compatible and shouldn’t marry.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Marriage is a natural right that the Church teaches we all have. However, the right is not absolute, it is relative. The Church may prohibit marriage on certain grounds. I cannot think of a situation where the priest/deacon who is preparing a couple for marriage would say: “I don’t think you two are compatible so you’re not getting married”. Can you please be more precise and tell us what you actually have in mind.
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Thank you for your response.

Based on the responses and interaction from the couple during each counseling session, the Priest/Deacon come to the conclusion that the two are not compatible and hence refuse to officiate at their wedding ceremony.

God Bless!

Your sister in Christ.
 
Nattyboom said:
Good day,

I would like to know whether it is right for a Priest or Deceon to deny officiating at a wedding ceremony in the Catholic Church between a man and a women who wish to get married for the reason they claim that the two are not compatible?
Click to expand...
Yes, but it would have to be a pretty serious reason.

Can. 1058 All persons who are not prohibited by law can contract marriage.

If refused, the couple can try another priest…
 
Thank you all for your responses. You have surely cleared my mind on this issue. God Bless!

Your Sister in Christ.
 
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