What is marriage?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ConstantineTG
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ConstantineTG said:
I believe this is a short but somewhat accurate answer. But I want to understand the inner workings of the Sacrament of Marriage in the Latin theology. Why is this possible to perform a Sacrament without a priest?
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I assume the same way it’s possible to be baptized without a piest.
 
superamazingman said:
So what is the simple answer?

If a couple (let’s say they were already engaged, to make everything as simple as possible) were stranded on an island alone, could they validly marry each other on the island, then have the marriage blessed later, if/when they reunited with the outside world?

Since the couple ministers the sacrament to each other, I’d assume the answer is yes.
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No, not stranded alone. (Also assuming at least one is Catholic.)

Validity is not determined by the couple alone, but needs the approval of the Church. The Church has described the extraordinary conditions and form in the canons, so gives it’s consent when these are met. If stranded for a month, but not without the witnesses. Also it would be invalid if there were any impediments that could not be dispensed.
 
Vico said:
No, not stranded alone. (Also assuming at least one is Catholic.)

Validity is not determined by the couple alone, but needs the approval of the Church. The Church has described the extraordinary conditions and form in the canons, so gives it’s consent when these are met. If stranded for a month, but not without the witnesses. Also it would be invalid if there were any impediments that could not be dispensed.
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Yes, I was assuming they were Catholic, and without impediments, stuck there for 10 years.

So you would need 4 people stuck on the hypothetical island to have a valid marriage?
 
superamazingman said:
I assume the same way it’s possible to be baptized without a piest.
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But that is different. Marriage is not an entrance into the Church. With baptism, the one receiving the Sacrament is a non-Christian, the same is not true for the 6 other Sacraments. One must be a Christian to receive the Sacrament.
 
It has been a long time since I’ve read these, and I can’t find my copies to review them in order to see if they might be what your looking for, but you might try Fulton Sheen’s Three to Get Married or Pope Pius XII’s Dear Newleyweds.
 
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