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CIRCULAR – I
Dear brethren in Christ and beloved children,
God created human person as male and female (Gen 5:2). He made them into a family and called them to participate in the process of creation. Later, when Jesus came into this world he made it clear that those who are bound in matrimony are not two, but one. “What God has joined together let no one separate” (Mathew 19:5). It is through the sacrament of marriage that a family, the basic unit of society and the church, is formed. Therefore the church wishes and insists that this sacrament of matrimony should be administered in the holiest of holy manner as well as in a proper manner as it brings together a man and a woman to lead their life as partners and support till their death.
At each marriage, the church desires that the married couple should lead a happy life and that they should develop a firm and concrete relationship. That’s why many rules and laws have been formulated by the church with regard to marriage. Great majority of the congregation is in support of these laws and are willing to abide by them. At the same time it is true that there are a few who tend to take these laws lightly. It is very sad to note that the number of couples heading for divorce as well as the number of families that fall apart is on the rise. Therefore, I urge the parish priests of the parish, the parents, and the couples who are getting ready for marriage and the entire congregation that the laws formulated by the church about marriage, shall be understood correctly and followed in the right spirit. Last year has been observed as the year of Family Renewal by our Diocese. At the conclusion of it now, I think it is pertinent to explain briefly the existing laws with regard to marriage as well as some practical aspects of it.
1. Pre-marriage course: This course has to be compulsorily attended by all the youth prior to their marriage. This course has been now changed into a two days residential programme. Since this is conducted only once a month, one must take care to find out all the details in advance and then attend it. It is better that the boy and the girl who plan to marry attend the course together. The course is valid for two years. Take care to attend the course early; do not wait for the last moment. Since the course has to be attended fully, I wish to remind you not to ask for any concession during the course. Though the course that is attended abroad is accepted here, it will be appreciated if the course is attended here as we explain in a special way also about the administration of sacrament during the course.
2. Free State Certificate: Those who have stayed for more than a year outside the Kalyan Diocese must produce a free-state certificate. The rule calls for such certificate from all the places where the candidate has stayed for more than a year. At least a certificate from the parish priest of the last parish is very necessary. Those who are working at a place where there is no church or such arrangements, a certificate from the superior at one’s work place or any government official in authority is to be brought.
3. Faith formation certificate till 12th Std. 12th Std. certificate in faith formation must be produced prior to marriage except from the places where faith formation classes had not been conducted after the inception of the Diocese of Kalyan. Those persons who do not have such certificates should get special permission from their own Zonal Vicar.
4. Pre nuptial Enquiry: Pre nuptial Enquiry form should be filled in the presence of the parish priest after the pre-marriage course and before the engagement. The parish priest has to make sure before giving the letter for the engagement that the candidate has proper knowledge with regard to church and faith and all the related prayers.
5. Date of Marriage: Though the couple can decide the date of marriage, it is good to consult the parish priest before making a final decision to rule out any difficulty in conducting the marriage on that day. While celebrating the wedding in the church premises, special care has to be taken not to disturb the faith formation classes. Those who have to get permission from the diocesan centre for marriage have to make sure that they receive it before fixing the date. One must proceed with the printing of invitation cards as well as the procedure of invitation only after making this understanding.
6. Applications: Applications seeking special permission due to various reasons should be submitted in the prescribed format with the signature of the parish priest as well as the seal of the parish. The points that should be there in these applications are given in the appendix of the Kalyan Eparchial Statutes as a model. And the application should be prepared accordingly.
7. Marriage Banns: Banns should be read in the church during the announcements attached to Holy Qurbana on three days of obligation in both the parish churches of the couple. Due to practical difficulties, in case three days of obligation are not there between the marriage and the engagement, banns can be published before the engagement. In order to do this, before starting the banns, the couple has to seek permission by submitting the necessary application separately by the couple in the diocesan curia with due recommendation from the parish priests of their respective parishes. In extreme cases, when there is no time for three banns, the parish priest has the authority to reduce it to two banns and zonal vicar has the authority to reduce it to one. Zonal vicars are reminded that they must file and preserve these applications.
For those marriages with only one bann, the following norms are to be observed: a. Seven days duration has to be there between the engagement and the marriage. b. Marriage can not be held before the completion of 5 days after the banns.
8. Marriage with Non-Catholic or Non-Christian: Such marriages can be held in inevitable circumstances. Prior permission should be taken for such marriages. Since different Christian churches follow different rules, it is advisable to make adequate enquiries to get concrete information before finalizing the marriage, in order to avoid inconveniences later. Permission for marriage will be given only to those who are willing to accept and follow the conditions given in Kalyan Eparchial Statutes.
9. Joining the Catholic Church: It is necessary to make sure that the non-Catholics who wish to join the Catholic Church have the knowledge and conviction with regard to Catholic faith. Now onwards non-Christians will be inducted into the Catholic Church only after attending the 6 month long faith formation porgramme prepared by the diocese.
10. Marriage in the Church after civil marriage or marriage in any other denomination: Those who went ahead with the marriage outside the church and now want to get married in the church will be allowed to do so only after the completion of six months from the day of their previous marriage. Such marriages will be permitted only if they fulfill all the steps necessary for a Catholic marriage including the pre-marriage course. They must apologize for the error they have committed and do the appropriate penance. They will be allowed to conduct the marriage in the church without banns and engagement and without grand celebration outside the Holy Qurbana. In case a civil registration of marriage is required before the church marriage for the sake of obtaining visa, prior permission must be taken from the Bishop’s Office.
11. Registration of Marriage: As soon as the marriage is over while being in the church itself, the couple, the witness and the priest who blessed the marriage have to sign in the Marriage Register. There are two registers: (1) Church Register and (2) Civil Register.
The parish priests should take care to fill all the necessary details in these registers before the marriage itself, and keep it ready for the signature. The details have to be filled in the registers carefully as corrections are not permitted in them.
12. Civil Registration: It is already mentioned above that signatures have to be put in the Civil Register too along with the Church Register. One month or so after the marriage, the civil registration certificate has to be brought to the diocesan curia for counter signature. Then it is taken to the registrar in ‘Mantralaya’ for his signature and with this it becomes a civil marriage certificate. According to the new rule, it is not necessary to register the marriage as was done earlier. Besides, the married couple need not go to the diocesan curia and mantralaya. Those who get married in Kerala or anywhere other than Maharashtra should follow the rules pertaining to marriage registration of that place.
13. There is a tendency which seems to be on the rise among the youth that they come to church only when they are about to get married. Those youngsters who come from their native places for job must register their names in their respective parishes as early as possible instead of waiting till the time of their marriage. Those who are born and brought up here are reminded with love that they should actively participate in parish activities.
I wrote this circular today keeping in mind the existing laws with regard to marriage. I wish to write about the practical aspects in the subsequent issue in the next week. God Bless You!
Powai 4-3-2009. Mar Thomas Elavanal Bishop of the Eparchy of Kalyan.
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