In some marital lives, Christian prudence may suggest at least a temporary delay in adding new children to the family. Responsible parenthood may sometimes dictate the planning and spacing of children. As long as such decisions are based on solid reasons and the free decisions of husband and wife, they are not contrary to Christian principles. At least six months before the wedding, the engaged couple should see the girl's pastor to make the necessary arrangements. If the girl is not Catholic, the man's pastor should be consulted.
Most dioceses now have specific legislation on the time and content of marriage preparations.
Hence, to avoid disappointments, it is well to consult the appropriate pastor long in advance. In requiring careful preparation with consultations and some instructions, the Church wishes only to help the couple appreciate the greatness of the marriage vocation and get their marriage off to a happy and holy lifetime. All rights reserved. See Terms and Conditions of Use for details.