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Fieryjades
Guest
I’m curious what makes a valid Catholic marriage. Please provide any references, canon law or Catechism documents…thank you!
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tracydaisy
Guest
I don’t have any references for you, but this is my understanding.
Both husband and wife must be validly baptized.
They must be free to marry: If one of the parties were previously married, then their spouse must have passed away or the couples marriage was annuled by the Church.
They have to mean their vows: life long commitment, intend to be faithful, open to children.
Neither party can be forced into it.
Catholics need to be married by a priest or they need an Okay by the bishop to be married in another church.
There’s probably more, but I can’t think of it.
I hope this is helpful
Both husband and wife must be validly baptized.
They must be free to marry: If one of the parties were previously married, then their spouse must have passed away or the couples marriage was annuled by the Church.
They have to mean their vows: life long commitment, intend to be faithful, open to children.
Neither party can be forced into it.
Catholics need to be married by a priest or they need an Okay by the bishop to be married in another church.
There’s probably more, but I can’t think of it.
I hope this is helpful
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Fieryjades
Guest
It is my understanding the man and woman are the ministers of the sacrament while the two witnesses and priest/deacon are “assisting”…so why do we need priest/deacons in a valid marriage?
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
Since this is a Sacrament that is being celebrated the Church requires an official witness to the celebration of the Sacrament. Lack of the witness may not invalidate the Marriage but makes it “irregular” or an illicit celebration of the sacrament (canonical form). This can and is usually fixed easily by simply restating you intent in front of a Church witness and two others.
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Fieryjades
Guest
Br. Rich SFO:
So therefore, a “marriage” without a priest/deacon or two witnesses cannot be considered valid or within the Church, correct? Can those unknowningly with an illict celebration or invalid marriage receive the Eucharist?
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
So therefore, a “marriage” without a priest/deacon and two witnesses cannot be considered regularized or within the Church, yes that is correct. Unless the Bishop has dispensed the Catholic party from the requirements of canonical Form.
Those who receive Holy Communion without knowing that their Marriage is irregular do not commit sin or sacrilege against the Blessed Sacrament. But may not derive the full Spiritual and Sacramental benefit and may not receive any Spiritual or Sacramental benefit. Usually the Holy Spirit prompts them that something is wrong and leads them to want to correct the situation.
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Fieryjades
Guest
What about those who know or may have been told about the invalidity of their marriage—can they accept the Eucharist?
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Leo
Guest
Sounds to me like you’r trying to find a way out of something with that argument, just remember GOD knows the truth of the heart.
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Fieryjades
Guest
Actually, I have two Catholic friends who have this sort of no priests and no witnesses “marriage” yet claim that they are in the Church; they also receive the Eucharist every Sunday.
I have been praying, evangelizing the Truth, and researching the topics online (i.e. New Advent, Catechism, and canon law) but with no avail. While I cannot judge or damn them, I’m worried of the eternal consequences if they do not amend this situation.
I would appreciate prayers and any ideas/resources for evangelization. Thank you!
I have been praying, evangelizing the Truth, and researching the topics online (i.e. New Advent, Catechism, and canon law) but with no avail. While I cannot judge or damn them, I’m worried of the eternal consequences if they do not amend this situation.
I would appreciate prayers and any ideas/resources for evangelization. Thank you!
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
We are both spiritual and physical beings and so is the Church. It has a spiritual and a physical aspect, as do the Sacraments. This is referred to by the Church as the External Forum and the Internal Forum. In the External Forum the Church has established Canon Laws that must be followed. This is where the physical records of Sacraments are located. The spiritual records reside with God.
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Fieryjades
Guest
Br. Rich SFO:
Can you eleborate further? Can one have only the spiritual, not the physical and vice versa? What were Jesus’ requirements for marriage?
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Br.Rich_SFO
Guest
This is summarized by the fact that when a Sacrament is celebrated properly with the right Form, Matter and Intent, the Sacrament is effective and God is bound to supply the Sacramental Grace. However God is not bound by His Sacraments and can supply the Sacramental Grace outside of the celebration of the Sacrament.
This does not mean that we should go off and do as we please when the “rules” of the Sacraments get in the way. It does mean that God is the final judge, the Church basis it’s decisions on what it knows from the External Forum…
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