The Procedure for Getting Married in the Catholic Church, Complete Guide and Requirements

Kapanlagi.com - Marrying in the Catholic Church is not only a sacred ceremony filled with spiritual beauty but also a sacrament that binds for life. The Catholic Church views marriage as a holy bond that cannot be separated by man, as it contains a promise before God and the Church.

The issue of the validity of marriage and protection for victims of unhealthy relationships has come back into the spotlight after actress Aurelie Moeremans revealed her past. In her latest book Broken Strings, she touches on her past relationship with Robby Tremonti, who she mentioned had married her in 2011. The marriage took place without the presence of parents and was not officially recorded in the country or the Church.

Aurelie's story reflects how a lack of understanding about the procedures for a valid Catholic marriage can lead to violations of church law and morality. All these stages are intended so that marriage truly becomes a free, mature decision, and is blessed legitimately, not due to pressure, manipulation, or coercion.

Read other articles on the same topic at Liputan6.com.

1. Valid If the Marriage Meets Sacramental Requirements

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In the Catholic Church, a marriage is considered valid if conducted in the presence of a priest or authorized pastor, attended by two official witnesses, and consent must be given freely without coercion or deceit. Other requirements include that both parties must be free from any previous marriage ties and have completed the marriage preparation course and canonical investigation.

According to the Archdiocese of Jakarta, prospective brides and grooms must register at least 5 months before the ceremony. After that, they must attend a marriage preparation course and submit complete documents such as the latest baptism certificate (maximum 6 months from issuance), ID card, and a neighborhood introduction letter.

2. Causes of Invalid Catholic Marriages

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A marriage is invalid if conducted without church permission or does not meet canonical requirements. For example, if one party is still bound by a previous marriage, does not undergo an investigation, or rejects the basic teachings of the Catholic faith. A Catholic marriage can also be declared invalid if essential requirements are not met. Here are some causes:

• Defect of Consent: Inability to give consent or the presence of coercion.
• Presence of Impediments: Impediments that are not dispensed, such as age and previous marital bonds.
• Defect of Canonical Form: Not conducted according to the established canonical form.

The sacrament of marriage cannot be performed during Advent and Lent, as these are times of waiting and repentance. Additionally, if the marriage is conducted without the blessing of the home parish, an official letter of introduction is required for another church to provide valid blessings.

3. Requirements for Annulment in Catholic Church Law

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Annulment is not divorce, but a declaration that the marriage was invalid from the beginning because it did not meet the sacramental elements. This annulment process can be filed if it is proven that one party did not have full freedom, experienced coercion, or did not have a true intention to live as a married couple.

The Catholic Church evaluates each annulment request through the diocesan tribunal. The process is lengthy and requires evidence and witnesses. If approved, the couple is considered to have never been married validly, allowing them to remarry in the Church.

4. Official Steps Towards a Catholic Marriage

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a. Registration and Course

Registration is done at the parish secretariat at least five months before the wedding day. After that, the engaged couple participates in a Marriage Preparation Course for several days. This course covers topics such as communication, family finances, and sacramental fidelity.

b. Canonical Investigation

Two months before the blessing, an interview with the pastor is conducted to ensure spiritual and legal readiness. If one party is non-Catholic, two witnesses are needed to guarantee the status of "not married".

c. Blessing in the Church

After all documents are complete and marriage announcements have been made, the marriage can be blessed. The Church does not handle civil records, but the couple must prepare additional documents such as birth certificates, ID cards, and church marriage certificates for state registration.

5. What Are the Requirements and Procedures If the Marriage Is Valid and You Want to Separate

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In Catholic teaching, a valid marriage cannot be dissolved by divorce as it is considered an indissoluble sacrament. However, the Church allows for the possibility of annulment if there are strong reasons to believe that the marriage was invalid from the beginning. Here are the requirements and procedures for annulment:

a. Requirements for Filing an Annulment

Here are some requirements that must be met to apply for annulment:

1. Existence of doubts regarding the validity of the marriage - the applicant must be convinced that there is a defect in the agreement or circumstances at the time of the marriage.
2. Existence of evidence and supporting witnesses - the party applying must submit evidence, the church marriage certificate, and present witnesses who are aware of the circumstances before and after the marriage.
3. Official letter of application to the Church Tribunal - this letter is submitted through the parish priest, explaining the reasons and chronology of the marriage.
4. Not currently involved in legal proceedings - the Church encourages that civil issues such as child custody or marital property be resolved first.
5. Both parties have undergone pastoral guidance - the Church usually requires the applicant to go through counseling before applying for annulment.

b. Procedures for the Catholic Marriage Annulment Process

Once the requirements are complete, the annulment process is conducted in stages and officially through the Ecclesiastical Tribunal:

1. Application to the Original Parish
   The applicant visits the parish priest where the marriage took place to express the intention to annul. The priest will assist in writing the official application to be sent to the ecclesiastical court.
2. Initial Document Examination
   The Tribunal will verify the church marriage certificate, baptismal certificate, and related documents. If strong reasons are found, the case will be accepted for further investigation.
3. Examination of Witnesses and the Applicant
   The priest or church judge will conduct interviews with the applicant, former spouse, and relevant witnesses. All information is recorded in writing and kept confidential.
4. Tribunal Assessment Process
   The ecclesiastical judges evaluate the evidence and decide whether the marriage was indeed flawed from the beginning. This process can take several months to over a year.
5. Decision and New Status
   If approved, the Church issues a decree stating that the marriage is not sacramentally valid. The applicant is then free to remarry in the Catholic Church, after receiving further spiritual guidance.

6. Popular Q&A About Catholic Marriage

Q: How long does the marriage process take in the Catholic Church?
A: Generally takes 4-6 months, depending on the readiness of documents and the schedule of courses.

Q: Is it allowed to marry in another church?
A: Yes, as long as you obtain a letter of introduction from the original parish priest.

Q: Can one marry in the Catholic Church without baptism?
A: No, unless the non-Catholic party receives a special dispensation from the diocese.

Q: Does the Catholic Church recognize divorce?
A: No, there is only annulment or cancellation of the sacrament if the marriage was invalid from the beginning.

Q: Is marriage preparation course mandatory?
A: Yes, the course certificate is a primary requirement for registering a Catholic marriage.

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(kpl/vna)