Marriage inside the Church

[MelanieM]

Why do Catholics have to get married inside a Church? Why not a beach or a garden or anywhere else outside a Church?

[Stephen Spiteri]

Canon 1115: "Marriages are to be celebrated in a parish where either of the contracting parties has a domicile, quasidomicile, or month long residence or, if it concerns transients, in the parish where they actually reside. With the permission of the proper ordinary or proper pastor, marriages can be celebrated elsewhere."

A wedding between Catholics may be celebrated outside of a church (i.e. parish), but only with a dispensation. Otherwise it is strongly suggested that the wedding takes place in a church. I'm not sure of the rationale behind this (David or one of the other officers may be able to assist you there), but as a Catholic I would like to be as close to the Real Presence as possible during my nuptials. Why would you want to, as a Catholic, get married anywhere where Jesus wasn't going to be?

[DavidObeid]

The dispensation that Steve mentioned isn't often granted. I was told by someone who worked in the Chancery office that Maronite Bishop Ad Abikaram would not grant them (and, not that he needed it, had the full support of his priests in taking this stance).

Marriage is a Sacrament. It is a promise that is made before God in the sight of the Church, and it is proper that it is done within an appropriate place of worship. Churches aren't just buildings. They are meant to be a microcosm of the universe, with Christ as the focus. Where better to enter into the Sacrament that is meant to be a foretaste of our eternal union with Christ in heaven?

[Matthew]

The Sanctuary in the Church is where the couple become married. That sanctuary is like the garden of Eden where the first man and woman were married.

[Matthew]

The sanctuary in the Church is where the couple become married. That sanctuary is like the garden of Eden where the first man and woman were married.

[MelanieM]

Thank you

[DavidObeid]

The whole "get married in a park" phenomenon would be less frequently requested if we did basic things like strictly promoted silence and reverence in our churches.

[Charbel Labban]

Great posts!

[DavidObeid]

In addition to my last comment, beautiful churches would help too:

http://blog.beliefnet.com/deaconsben...ul-church.html