Other Procedures

What is the procedure for marriages between two Catholics?

The spouses intending to contract marriage are advised try to inform their respective Parish Priests at least 3 months before the intended nuptials. The Parish Priest will then inform them of the preparative sessions / instructions in the Parish, which are to be faithfully attended. The prospective spouses have to also attend the Marriage Formation Programme conducted by the Diocesan Family Service Centre. Fresh Baptism Certificates (issued not more than 6 months before the date fixed for the nuptials) of both are to be submitted; so also Confirmation Certificates. The Parish Priest/s will also invite the spouse/s to fill the Pre-nuptial Enquiry forms and complete the other paper work in view of the Sacrament to the celebrated. Banns are read as per the norms of the Church. Before the nuptials, the Certificate of Civil Registration in view of marriage or the Certificate of Civil Marriage (solemnised) is to be submitted to the Parish Priest.

What is the procedure for marriages between a Catholic and a baptised non-Catholic?

In the first place, it must be made sure that non-Catholic spouse belongs to an ecclesial community whose Baptism is deemed as valid by the Catholic Church. If this is not the case, than follow the procedure in the next section (non-baptised). A fresh Baptism Certificate (issued not more than 6 months before the date fixed for the nuptials) of the Catholic party is to be submitted; so also Confirmation Certificate. The non-Catholic party has to submit a Certificate of Baptism issued by the ecclesial community to which he/she belongs. The Catholic party is advised to inform the Parish Priest at least 3 months before the intended nuptials. The Parish Priest will then inform the party of the preparative sessions / instructions in the Parish. These sessions /instructions are to be faithfully attended by both the spouses. The prospective spouses have to also attend the Marriage Formation Programme conducted by the Diocesan Family Service Centre.

The Parish Priest will also invite both the spouses to fill the Pre-nuptial Enquiry forms and complete the other paper work in view of the Sacrament to the celebrated. The Parish Priest needs to ask the Local Ordinary for permission to celebrate the nuptials, after attaching the cautiones in writing, as mentioned in canon 1125, nos. 1 – 3. Banns are not read in these cases, but the Free State for Marriage is ascertained by a document, drawn up on oath. Before the nuptials, the Certificate of Civil Registration in view of marriage or the Certificate of Civil Marriage (civilly solemnised marriage) is to be submitted to the Parish Priest. It is to be noted that such Marriages are normally not to be celebrated within the Mass.

What is the procedure for marriages between a Catholic and a non-baptised person?

According to the teaching of the Church, the marriage of a Catholic with a non-baptised person is not to be encouraged, due to the impediment involved in these type of marriages. The impediment is technically called the impediment of “disparity of cult”. However, if there are sufficient reasons (civilly married, living together and have children, strong love, difficult to separate, etc.), the Local Ordinary can dispense from the impediment.

A fresh Baptism Certificate (issued not more than 6 months before the date fixed for the nuptials) of the Catholic party is to be submitted; so also Confirmation Certificate. The Catholic party is advised to inform the Parish Priest at least 3 months before the intended nuptials. The Parish Priest will then inform the party of the preparative sessions / instructions in the Parish. These sessions /instructions are to be faithfully attended by both the spouses. The prospective spouses have to also attend the Marriage Formation Programme conducted by the Diocesan Family Service Centre.

The Parish Priest will also invite both the spouses to fill the Pre-nuptial Enquiry forms and complete the other paper work in view of the Sacrament to the celebrated. The Parish Priest then asks the Local Ordinary to dispense the impediment of “disparity of cult”, after attaching the cautiones in writing, as mentioned in canon 1125, nos. 1 – 3. Banns are not read in these cases, but the Free State for Marriage is ascertained by a document, drawn up on oath. According to the CCBI directives, an Affidavit by the non-Catholic, in order to ascertain the free state is also to be produced. Before the nuptials, the Certificate of Civil Registration in view of marriage or the Certificate of Civil Marriage (solemnised) is to be submitted to the Parish Priest. It is to be noted that such Marriages are not to be celebrated within the Mass.

Which Parish Priest to approach in order to prepare oneself for the Sacrament of Marriage?

The Catholic party who desires to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage should approach the Parish Priest of his/her domicile or quasi-domicile. In special circumstances, if the person is far from the place of his domicile/ quasi-domicile, the Parish Priest where the person is staying at present (for at least one month) can also do the process (paper-work) and aid the party in the preparation for Marriage.

In the case of inter-faith marriages, the non-Catholic party has to meet the Parish Priest of the Catholic party.