Congratulations on your decision to get married. It is a very
exciting time for, and we are delighted that you have selected
Our Lady of Lourdes, Steelstown as
your venue for the 'big day.'
However, there are some rules to follow, both set by the
Church and the State - they can not be ignored.
Every couple marrying in the Catholic Church are
required to give a minimum of three months notice
to their priest and complete a Pre Nuptial Enquiry Form. The form
is completed a meeting with local priest of each party. Here's the
basic guidelines you need to follow:
There are at least three forms that you need to get
before going to meet your priest.
• A recently issued copy of your Baptismal
Certificate
• A recently issued copy of your Confirmation Certificate
• A Letter of Freedom from each parish you have lived in since
you were 18.
1 The Pre-nuptial enquiry (informally
known as 'wedding papers') is carried out in the parish where the
person has domicile (resident for at least six months) or quasi-domicile
(resident for at least three months).
2 The Pre-nuptial enquiry is carried
out in the form of a personal interview between the person and the
priest. It should not be done in the presence of both parties.
3 It is essential that the Pre-nuptial
enquiry be initiated no later than three months prior to the proposed
date of marriage.
4 The Wedding Ceremony usually takes
place in the parish church of the bride.
5 If one or both parties are from
outside the parish, they must present a Baptismal and Confirmation
Certificate and a Letter of Freedom to marry. The Baptismal and
Confirmation Certificate can be obtained from the parish in which
you were baptised and the Letter of Freedom from the parish in which
you reside.
6 In the case of a mixed marriage,
the forms of the baptised non-catholic or non-baptised person should
be completed in the parish of the catholic party.
7 It is of the utmost importance
that the party should ensure that the date and time of their wedding
is suitable for the priest(s) of the parish. Contacting the priest
personally should do this.
Inter Church Marriage
When a Catholic wishes to marry a Christian of another
denomination they must ask for a dispensation from their local bishop.
The granting of this dispensation is dependant upon the promise
of the Catholic party to ensure that their future children will
be baptised in the Catholic Church and brought up in the faith.
This promise is also by all Catholic couples.
In the event of the marriage ceremony being held in
the church of another denomination it is necessary to ask for a
dispensation of Form, that is permission to be married by the rites
of another church. Again this permission is granted by the diocesan
bishop.
Inter Faith Marriage
When a Catholic wishes to marry a person who is not
baptised, or who is a member of another faith, they must seek a
dispensation from the bishop. This is called a Disparity of Cult
dispensation.
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