Wedding by a Judge in a Church

[MOPaul]

What is the teaching of the Magisterium in regards to a pregnant teen getting married by a judge in a Catholic church? Can this be authorized by a local priest?

 

[Della]

Anyone getting married in a Catholic church, pregnant or not, teen or not would either have to have a bishop, priest, or deacon officiate not a civilly elected official, such as a judge or justice of the peace. If you have any questions about any specific need(s) regarding marriage in the Church, contact your local Catholic parish.

 

[rwoehmke]

Sometimes local protestant congragations use our main Church for large overflow crowd funerals. Our Eucharist is reserved in a separate adoration chapel. I suppose a large protestant wedding might do the same. Don’t know but it is an interesting question.

 

[Deacon2006]

I know of another example where a priest did not do proper investigation prior to agreeing to a marriage date only to find out that their were marriage impediments. The Church being booked and dates committed meant that it would be humilating to all concerned. The diocese permitted the use of the church yet no catholic clergy was permitted to conduct the liturgy.

God Bless

 

[G_S]

I know of another example where a priest did not do proper investigation prior to agreeing to a marriage date only to find out that their were marriage impediments. The Church being booked and dates committed meant that it would be humilating to all concerned. The diocese permitted the use of the church yet no catholic clergy was permitted to conduct the liturgy.

God Bless

Actually, for most impediments, they can be dispensed on the spot by the priest or deacon for some of the similar reasons you stated. The priest or deacon could then preside in good conscience. The bishop’s office only needs to be notified after the fact. The marriage would be valid. For a situation as you stated, either an error was made or the impediments were quite serious. I suspect the latter but then it’s a bit amazing that the diocese would allow the church to be used. For example, if there was a prior bond, the church should not be used and the question of who does the wedding is irrelevant. Why would the diocese allow an invalid marriage to take place in church?

I understand that it may be common in places like Alaska where there are few church building for non-Catholics to be married in a Catholic church building. However, it should still be a putatively valid marriage. I remember that hockey great Wayne Gretzky (sp?) and his wife had a Protestant wedding in a Catholic church.

 

[1ke]

What is the teaching of the Magisterium in regards to a pregnant teen getting married by a judge in a Catholic church? Can this be authorized by a local priest?

A Catholic is bound by the Catholic form of marriage, and must contact their local diocesan office regarding marriage preparation and proper paperwork.

Here is the advice I can give to the person seeking marriage: Call your parish priest and make an appointment to discuss the situation.

 

[chevalier]

I believe a Catholic church building should not be used to add any notion of added validity or any notion of any remote “sacramentality” to civil ceremonies. Or at least the audience should be informed somehow that it’s just lending room, not lending authority.