Evening journal., 1908-03-05
CATHOLIC LAWS
FOR MARRIAGE
New Regulations Guiding
Roman Catholics in Their
Matrimonial Affairs
CHECK ON HASTY MARRIAGE


cent marriage laws as promulgated by
Pope Plus X. and which take effect |
Easter Sunday. April 10:
l. Every matrimonial engagement |
after Easter must be IN writing. al |
though there is ma necessity or obliga-
ticn TO enter into a formal engagement |
before marriage.
z. In the eyes Of the Church and be- |
fore God, private betrothal after
Easter between Catholic parties or be-
tween fallen-away Catholics begets no
matrimonial obligation whatever, be- |
cause the Church decrees that every
pre-nuptial contract is void unless Il is
written and duly attested.
3. Parti, s wishing TO become engaged
must sign the pre-nuptial contract and
have the bishop or their pastor W tness
It. In the absence of the bishop or
priest two witnesses must sign the en-
gagement. II one or both of those en-
gagged cannot write. this should be
noted and three lay witnesses must
sing the engagement In thea bsence Of
the bishop or the priest.
Would Check Hasty MARRIAGES.
4. These ngagements should be en-
couraged. If made some months be-
fore marriage they will help to stop
hasty alliances. which are the cause Of
so many divorces outside the Church
and of so many unhappy marriages
among Catholics.
5. This written contract would furn-
ish good grounds in our civil courts for
breach Of promise suits.
6. Protestants and all who have never
been baptized in the Catholic faith are
not subjects Of the law. hence their
private contracts bind for the simple
reason that the Church has not made
these conditions under which they must
enter into an engagement.
Z All fallen-away Catholics, whether
they have become Protestants or in
fidels, are bound by the law. The
Church, Ike the State. can bind her
refractory subjects.
The Marriage Ceremony.
Every bishop or vicar general or ad-
ministrator of a diocese can validlv
marry in his own diocese any parties.
irrespective Of country or place whence
they come. The bishop can delegate any
priest TO do the same.
Bishops OF priests NAV not assist at
marriages until they have assumed Of
fee.
There is no marriage at all II the
priest be compelled to witness IT, There
is no marriage n the priest does not
ask and receive the consent of tho
parties.
The authority which the bishop has
in his diocese the parish priest has in
his parish
The bfebor, o,,tsfao t,t- a,,... 81
the pastor outside the limits Of his par
ish cannot validly marry their own or
other subjects without due authorize
alton.
Marriage before priest who is sus-
pended or accommodated by name
win be no marriage at all.
Void and Valid Marriages.
Marriages of all Catholics-both
parties Catholics-before a minister or
civil magistrate win be no marriage at
all.
Marriage Of all fallen-away Catholics
who have become Protestants or in
ddels, before a minister or civil magts-
trate win be no marriage at all
Marriage of a Catholic to nom
baptized person is never a real marri-
age unless the Church grants a dis
pensation. Such a marriage before a
minister or a justice Of the peace is no
marriage at all for two reasons.
Marriage of a Catholic TO a Protest
ant-one never baptized in the Catholic
| Church-before a minister or civil
magistrate viii be no marriage at all,
unless the Holy See makes a special
law for the United States.
Marriage of a Protestant 70 Pro-
testant-provided they were never
baptized in the Catholic Church-is
valid.
Marriage Of a non-baptized man TO a
non-baptized woman is valid as a life
long contract. These parties do not re-
ceive, however. the sacrament of
matrimony
Necessary Conditions.
There win be no marriage at all un-
less there be two witnesses-one wit
ness with the priest win not suffice
Bishops or priests should not witness
marriages until they are morally GER
tain that the parties to be married are
free TO enter the matrimonial stare,
hence as far as possible dispensation
from the publication Of banns should
not be sought.
riage. one or other Of the contracting
parties should have a domicile or live
for a month in the parish where they
are to be married. Tnis condition is
not, however, essential for the validity
Of a marriage.
Marriages of persons without fixed
abode should be referred TO the bishop
before the ceremony takes place
Marriage should take place I'm the
parish church Of the bride, unless there
be good reason to go TO the pastor OF
the bridegroom.
There are new rules to be observed
by the priest for the registration Of
marriages. When contracting parties
are to be married in church where
they were not baptized, they should
before marriage get their baptismal
certificates.
Exceptions to Regulations.
Marriage entered into when there is
danger Of death can be witnessed by
any priest with two witnesses, provid-
ing there is not time to reach the
bishop. parish priest or priest appoint
ed by either OF these.
If for an entire month parties can
not procure a bishop or a parish priest,
they may in the presence of two wit
nesses-there is no marriage II there is
not two witnesses-declare their con-
sent 10 marry. They are then in the
eyes of the Church and before God