- Feb 5, 2002
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DIFFICULT MORAL QUESTIONS: What are the conditions under which a layperson may witness a marriage? And is it licit to celebrate a marriage ceremony outside of a church?
Q. Recently I was informed that a Catholic consecrated person who is a member of an ecclesial movement officiated at a wedding on the streets of New York City. There were no clergy present. The event became a public spectacle and one that, in my opinion, should not have taken place. I’m very concerned because I think not only that it is an invalid marriage, but also that it brings scandal to the Church through mocking the sacrament. I would like to speak with both the couple and the consecrated person about this event, but I am not sure what to tell them. Do you have any advice? — Tom
A. Before I answer your question, I need to clarify a point. According to canon law, only those who are ordained — bishops, priests and deacons — can officiate validly at weddings except in circumstances carefully circumscribed by canon law itself. Those circumstances provide for the possibility of laypeople — i.e., non-ordained people — validly officiating. The fact that an officiant is a consecrated person and/or a member of an ecclesial movement is irrelevant to our consideration of whether the marriage was valid. When I use the expression “layperson,” I am referring to those who are not ordained, whether or not they are consecrated or members of an ecclesial movement.
Continued below.
www.ncregister.com
Q. Recently I was informed that a Catholic consecrated person who is a member of an ecclesial movement officiated at a wedding on the streets of New York City. There were no clergy present. The event became a public spectacle and one that, in my opinion, should not have taken place. I’m very concerned because I think not only that it is an invalid marriage, but also that it brings scandal to the Church through mocking the sacrament. I would like to speak with both the couple and the consecrated person about this event, but I am not sure what to tell them. Do you have any advice? — Tom
A. Before I answer your question, I need to clarify a point. According to canon law, only those who are ordained — bishops, priests and deacons — can officiate validly at weddings except in circumstances carefully circumscribed by canon law itself. Those circumstances provide for the possibility of laypeople — i.e., non-ordained people — validly officiating. The fact that an officiant is a consecrated person and/or a member of an ecclesial movement is irrelevant to our consideration of whether the marriage was valid. When I use the expression “layperson,” I am referring to those who are not ordained, whether or not they are consecrated or members of an ecclesial movement.
Continued below.
May a Catholic Get Married on the Streets of New York City?
DIFFICULT MORAL QUESTIONS: What are the conditions under which a layperson may witness a marriage? And is it licit to celebrate a marriage ceremony outside of a church?
