Malcolm Rivera
Marriage in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony, is a covenant by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament and that it is not just for the good of individuals or the couple, but for the community as a whole. The Bible is full of marriage imagery, and the love between God and his people is often likened to a marriage. The Church has specific requirements for Catholics to be considered validly married in the eyes of the Church, including that the spouses are free to marry and freely exchange their consent, intending to marry for life, to be faithful to one another, and be open to having children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of marriage | A covenant by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life |
| Marriage as a sacrament | A symbol of the covenant relationship between God and his people |
| Marriage as a community event | A church event, not just a social or family event |
| Place of marriage | In a Catholic church, or a non-Catholic church with the Bishop's permission |
| Validity of marriage | Requires freedom to marry, mutual consent, intention to marry for life, be faithful and be open to children, and consent in the presence of two witnesses |
| Marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics | Requires permission from the local bishop |
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What You'll Learn
Marriage as a sacrament
Marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony. It is a covenant through which a man and a woman establish a lifelong partnership of the whole of life, ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. This covenant has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament between the baptized.
The Catholic Church recognizes as sacramental the marriages between two baptized non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptized non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. In the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, with this termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage". Marriages between Catholics and non-Christians, while they may still be valid in the eyes of the Church, are non-sacraments. With permission, a priest or deacon may witness such marriages.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
> The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws. God himself is the author of marriage. The vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman as they came from the hand of the Creator. Marriage is not a purely human institution despite the many variations it may have undergone through the centuries in different cultures, social structures, and spiritual attitudes.
The Bible is full of marriage imagery, from the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation. The love between God and his people is often likened to a marriage, with Jesus himself describing as the "bridegroom". Marriage, therefore, is a symbol of the covenant relationship between God and his people. The permanent and exclusive union between husband and wife mirrors the mutual commitment between God and his people.
The sacraments make Christ present in our midst. Like the other sacraments, marriage is not just for the good of individuals or the couple but for the community as a whole.
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Requirements for a valid marriage
Marriage in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony, is a "covenant by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life". It is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament.
Spouses are free to marry
Both parties must be free to marry. This means that neither party is already married, and there are no other impediments, such as a blood relationship.
Freely exchange consent
Both parties must freely exchange their consent to marry. This means that both parties must enter the marriage of their own free will and are not being forced or coerced into the marriage.
Intention to marry for life
Both parties must intend to marry for life and be faithful to one another. This means that they are committing to a lifelong partnership and are not entering into the marriage with the intention of divorcing or separating.
Open to having children
Both parties must be open to having children. This does not mean that they will definitely have children, but that they are not closed off to the possibility. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is ordered towards the procreation and education of offspring, and that each marriage act must remain open to the transmission of life.
Consent given in the presence of two witnesses
Both parties must give their consent to marry in the presence of two witnesses. This is to ensure that the consent is valid and freely given and that there are witnesses to attest to the validity of the marriage.
Permission from the local bishop
If one of the parties is a non-Catholic, permission from the local bishop is required for the marriage to be recognized by the Catholic Church. If the non-Catholic is a Christian, this permission is called a "permission to enter into a mixed marriage". If the non-Catholic is not a Christian, the permission is called a "dispensation from disparity of cult".
Marriage in a church
The Catholic Church prefers that marriages be celebrated in a church, specifically in the parish church of one of the spouses. However, the local bishop can permit a wedding in another church or in another suitable place for a sufficient reason.
These are the main requirements for a valid marriage in the Catholic Church. It is important to note that these requirements may vary slightly depending on the specific diocese or local bishop.
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The role of the Church
The Catholic Church has long been involved in the process of marriage, with the decree Tametsi of 1563 imposing strict conditions for what constituted a marriage. The Church has historically viewed marriage as a sacrament, a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, established by God. This view of marriage as a divine institution is reflected in the Bible, which uses marriage imagery to describe the relationship between God and his people. The Church teaches that marriage is not just a social or family event, but a sacred event that brings Christ's presence into our midst.
The Church's role in marriage is significant, as it sets the requirements for a valid Catholic marriage. These requirements include the spouses being free to marry, exchanging their consent freely, intending to marry for life, being faithful to one another, being open to having children, and giving their consent in the presence of two witnesses. The Church also recognises the validity of marriages between baptised non-Catholic Christians and those between baptised non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians, although the latter requires consent from the diocesan bishop, known as a "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage".
The Church has specific rituals and practices associated with Catholic weddings. Ordinarily, weddings between two Catholic faithful are held in a Catholic church, while weddings between a Catholic and a non-Catholic can be held in a Catholic church or a non-Catholic church with the permission of the Bishop. The Church prefers that marriages be celebrated in the parish church of one of the spouses. In certain circumstances, the local bishop can permit a wedding to take place in another church or suitable location, such as in the case of a Catholic marrying a Baptist whose father is the pastor of the local Baptist church.
The Church also provides guidance and teachings on the nature and purpose of marriage. It teaches that marriage is a lifelong partnership of mutual and exclusive fidelity, ordered towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. The Church encourages spouses to become better people through marriage and to reveal all aspects of themselves to each other. It views marriage as a foundation of society, with the family as the original cell of social life and the community in which moral values are learned and God is honoured. The Church also emphasises the importance of fecundity and sees large families as a sign of God's blessing.
Overall, the Catholic Church plays a crucial role in defining, regulating, and sanctifying marriage for its followers. It provides the theological framework, rituals, and guidelines that shape how Catholics understand and practice marriage, reflecting the Church's view of marriage as a sacred institution established by God.
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Marriage as a lifelong partnership
Marriage in the Catholic Church, or holy matrimony, is a lifelong partnership between a man and a woman. It is a covenant or contract in which the spouses establish a partnership of the whole of life, ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes marriage as a "lifelong partnership of the whole of life, of mutual and exclusive fidelity, established by mutual consent between one man and one woman". This definition is rich in meaning and has several important elements.
Firstly, marriage is a lifelong partnership, reflecting Christ's promise never to leave us. This permanency allows spouses to reveal their true selves to each other without fear of rejection and fosters a total gift of self. It also mirrors the mutual commitment between God and his people, as described in the Old Testament.
Secondly, the partnership spans the whole of life, encompassing all aspects of the spouses' lives and requiring their fidelity and faithfulness to each other. This exclusivity of the marriage bond takes precedence over all other familial or social bonds.
Thirdly, marriage is established by mutual consent, with both spouses freely choosing to enter into the marriage and giving their consent in the presence of two witnesses. This consent includes the intention to be faithful to one another and to be open to having children.
Finally, the marriage is ordered towards the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring. This reflects the biblical commandment to "be fruitful and multiply" and the understanding that children are a gift from God. The family that is established through marriage becomes the foundation of society and the Church, providing an initiation into social life and moral values.
In summary, marriage in the Catholic Church is a lifelong partnership that requires mutual consent, exclusivity, fidelity, and a commitment to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. It is a sacred covenant that reflects the love and commitment between God and his people.
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Virginity and celibacy
In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church adopted the discipline of clerical celibacy, requiring that only unmarried men be ordained as priests in the Latin Church, one of the 24 rites within the Catholic Church. This rule was implemented due to concerns about clerics' children inheriting church property and creating dynasties. The Eastern Catholic Churches, however, do not follow this discipline and permit married men to be ordained as priests, with the exception of the Ethiopian Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church makes a distinction between "virginity," which typically refers to women, and "celibacy," which refers to men. Virginity and celibacy refer to a non-married life consecrated to God. Jesus himself spoke of virginity as a great good, saying, "Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given...Let the one who is able to receive this receive it" (Matthew 19:10-12).
The Church has also acknowledged the beauty and importance of marriage, stating that it is a "covenant by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring." However, throughout its history, the Church has maintained that virginity and celibacy are objectively superior states to marriage.
In 1954, Pope Pius XII wrote an encyclical on consecrated virginity, emphasizing that virginity is preferable to marriage as it allows for a complete devotion to the service of God. The Church has consistently viewed virginity as a more perfect and excellent state, though it does not mean that individuals living in celibacy are necessarily holier than those who are married.
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Frequently asked questions
Marriage in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony, is the "covenant by which a man and woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring".
A valid Catholic marriage results from four elements: 1) the spouses are free to marry; 2) they freely exchange their consent; 3) in consenting to marry, they intend to marry for life, to be faithful to one another and be open to having children; and 4) their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and a priest.
The Catholic Church recognizes as sacramental the marriages between two baptized non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptized non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. Marriages between Catholics and non-Christians, while they may still be valid in the eyes of the Church, are non-sacramental.
