M
Matthew_Holford
Guest
In general the Church requires that marriage be celebrated publicly. However, the Church makes provision for marriage to be celebrated in secret (cf. Can. 1130). My commentary on the Code of Canon Law gives the following as a reason why permission for a secret marriage might be given.
One of the parties to the secret marriage may be a widow or widower. Because s/he is a widow(er) s/he may be in receipt of a widow(er)'s pension. If s/he marries then s/he is no longer a widow(er) and may lose their widow(er)'s pension. My commentary states a secret marriage may be allowed by the Church so that the change in the person’s circumstances does not become public knowledge and s/he does not lose their pension.
The first thing to remember is that a commentary is written by and, is therefore only the opinion of, those canon lawyers who authored the commentary. It is not necessarily the official position of the Church.
What do others think about this as a reason for permitting a secret marriage? I do not think it’s a valid reason for permitting a secret marriage. To conceal a change in one’s status in order to continue receiving a financial benefit one is no longer entitled to is criminal fraud.
One of the parties to the secret marriage may be a widow or widower. Because s/he is a widow(er) s/he may be in receipt of a widow(er)'s pension. If s/he marries then s/he is no longer a widow(er) and may lose their widow(er)'s pension. My commentary states a secret marriage may be allowed by the Church so that the change in the person’s circumstances does not become public knowledge and s/he does not lose their pension.
The first thing to remember is that a commentary is written by and, is therefore only the opinion of, those canon lawyers who authored the commentary. It is not necessarily the official position of the Church.
What do others think about this as a reason for permitting a secret marriage? I do not think it’s a valid reason for permitting a secret marriage. To conceal a change in one’s status in order to continue receiving a financial benefit one is no longer entitled to is criminal fraud.