Priests, Territory, and Canon Law

[Oscarthecat]

This is a canon law question, and I am not sure where to post it, so if I’m in the wrong place, please be kind

Specifically according to Canon Law, under what conditions may a priest celebrate the sacrament of marriage outside of his parish or diocese?

 

[tee_eff_em]

This is a canon law question, and I am not sure where to post it, so if I’m in the wrong place, please be kind

Under what conditions may a priest celebrate the sacrament of marriage outside of his parish or diocese?

I’m not sure, but presuming everything else is in order he should obtain the permission of the pastor of the place and if he is outside his diocese he should be able to produce credentials not more than a year old that he may celebrate the sacraments.

NB: If the priest should happen to be a cardinal I believe neither of the above applies – One of the perqs of being a prince of the Church (but it would still be a courtesy).

tee
Not A Canon Lawyer

 

[BobP123]

I would also think he’d have to clear it with the local civil authorities as well. What good is the sacrament if the marriage isn’t valid?

 

[Oscarthecat]

Thanks for your replies:

to be more specific- would it matter if the priest was going to another parish in his diocese or outside of his diocese? In either case would the priest need permission from the local ordinary or just from the parish priest he is visiting?
Without such permissions, the marriage would still be valid (as this is not an impediment to marriage), but would it be licit?

 

[tee_eff_em]

Thanks for your replies:

to be more specific- would it matter if the priest was going to another parish in his diocese or outside of his diocese? In either case would the priest need permission from the local ordinary or just from the parish priest he is visiting?
Without such permissions, the marriage would still be valid (as this is not an impediment to marriage), but would it be licit?

Hmm, it might not even be valid, if the local pastor or Ordinary does not grant permission (even general permission). (with emphases added)

Can. 1108 §1 Only those marriages are valid which are contracted in the presence of the local Ordinary or parish priest or of the priest or deacon delegated by either of them, who, in the presence of two witnesses, assists, in accordance however with the rules set out in the following canons, and without prejudice to the exceptions mentioned in cann. 144, 1112 §1, 1116 and 1127 §§2 - 3.

§2 Only that person who, being present, asks the contracting parties to manifest their consent and in the name of the Church receives it, is understood to assist at a marriage.

Can. 1109 Within the limits of their territory, the local Ordinary and the parish priest by virtue of their office validly assist at the marriages not only of their subjects, but also of non-subjects, provided one or other of the parties is of the latin rite. They cannot assist if by sentence or decree they have been excommunicated, placed under interdict or suspended from office, or been declared to be such.

Can. 1110 A personal Ordinary and a personal parish priest by virtue of their office validly assist, within the confines of their jurisdiction, at the marriages only of those of whom at least one party is their subject.

Can. 1111 §1 As long as they validly hold office, the local Ordinary and the parish priest can delegate to priests and deacons the faculty, even the general faculty, to assist at marriages within the confines of their territory.

tee
Still not a Canon Lawyer

 

[bear06]

Thanks for your replies:

to be more specific- would it matter if the priest was going to another parish in his diocese or outside of his diocese? In either case would the priest need permission from the local ordinary or just from the parish priest he is visiting?
Without such permissions, the marriage would still be valid (as this is not an impediment to marriage), but would it be licit?

Usually a priest from another diocese is required to get a letter from his bishop stating that he is a priest in good standing and gives it to the bishop in the intended diocese before being given faculties to officiate at a wedding in bishop #2’s diocese. A priest must have faculties to officiate at a wedding for the wedding to be valid.