Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-11-27
HHiASSTY MARRIAGES
UNDER CHURCH BAN
Roman Catholic Priests Must
be Either ConSenterS or
DissenterS to Unions
STRICTER RULES
ARE ANNOUNCED

ROME. Nov. 27.-'No more surprise
marriages" is one Of the outstanding
features OF the Canon Code which has
received the Poniincisl approval. It is
sure to work very many changes in
canon law. especially where marriage
Is concerned. Not the least important
is the veto Of surprise marriages.
Young couples 10 hurry no longer
may rush Off with a license, or with
out. for that matter. and set a priest to
marry them. The officiating priest no
longer IS a mere witness to the union
which he blesses; he now and hence
forth Is a consenter or a dissenter. HIS
name must be written upon the mar
riage license. II be sees good reason
70 refuse marriage he may do so, but
n his name fails 70 be on the license
the marriage is nun and void. The only
exception to the rule is in the case OF
a parochial vicar. whose name need
not be specified on the license. But he
alone may perform marriage in such a
rase.
The commission whose work for
years has been the reformation OF
canon law. had IN mind hasty mar
riages between young persons especi-
ally and sometimes older ones as well,
because many who marry In haste re-
pent at leisure and apply to the
Vatican for annulment Of their ties.
Increase Age Limit
For the same reason the age limit has
been raised by two years. Formerly a
fboy Of "a might marry a girl Of 70;
now the boy must be at least i6 and
the girl "a before 2 priest may marry
them. or course. this early age is set
Tor Catholics who are natives Of coun-
tries where. persons mature far sooner
than they do in America and IN most
part Of Europe Bearing this ir mind.
the new canon urges all priests living
IN western countries 10 preach against
early marriages and use their influence
against boy and girl unions as much as
possible
On the other hard. marriage is made
easier ia some respects. For Instance,
Catholic priests were not allowed to
perform marriage between Advent and
Epiphany. Now marriages may be per-
formed from Christmas Day TIL the
rrst day Of Lent Bishops may give
dispensation for Lent and Advent mar
riagcs as wei II they see good cause
a. do so.
They also may substitute notices Of
approaching marriages, to be put out
side church doors. instead Of the old
custom Of calling the banns for three
Sundayslin the church. The notices
must e affixed for eight DAYS and IN
su1'a way that they are there for two
Sundays. Marriage should not take
-iate til three days after the notice
has been taken down.
Divorce Rule stands.
Considerable notifications have been
made with regard 20 impedlments 70
marriage between certain persons BY
Canon 1912 OF The Code these impedi-
nents are now grouped into two classes
of the minor degree can be abro-
gated at the discretion Of bishop: the
major impedimenis are immutabe For
merly this distinction did not exist IN
form. though it did IN fact, whereas alb
rogation was possible In some cases Il
the matter We're brought before the
pontlflcal administration. Minor impede
ments include consangulnity to the
third degree. affinity TO The second de-
gree Of the collateral line, public dis
honesty and crime.
Impedients Of the major degree are
vows Of chastity taken by one or both
Of the contracting parties. mixed relig-
ion and LEGAL parentage, where the
civil law Of the land would cause the
marriage 10 be Illicit and not null. Dis
parity Of cur forms an insurmountable
barrier. but this always has been part