brian wrote: One thing we learned in RCIA that I am not sure I understood was how this sacrament is executed. The class presenter said that this was one sacrament that you do not need a priest or someone official to confer on you, (though I suppose anyone can baptize as well) but rather matrimony is a sacrament you confer on one another. That the priest is simply the witness. How exactly does this work? What is the priests role, and why does he pronounce and say 'by the power vested in me' (or do Catholics say that) Was this understanding correct? What makes people married and recognized by the church? is it just formally saying it to somebody who is a witness? What exactly happens at a wedding and how do the people go from being single to married?
Yes, it is correct. The priest or deacon (or other official witness) represents the Church in witnessing the exchange of vows, and confirms that they are freely exchanged. A Catholic must be married in the presence of an official witness. Non-Catholics may be married before a minister of another faith or a judge and the marriage will be recognized precisely because the ministers of the sacrament are the spouses themselves.
It is possible for a Catholic (or two Catholics) to be validly married without the presence of an official witness, provided that the bishop authorizes the ceremony in advance. Most often this is to allow a couple to be married in a Protestant church, or by a judge who is a family member, etc.
However, unless authorization has been received in advance, a Catholic must be married in the presence of a priest or deacon (or other official witness) or the marriage will not be recognized by the Church.
CLARIFICATION: This answer is correct for the Latin Rite of the Church; Eastern Christians have a slightly different theology, and the priest is considered the minister of the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
Also, it is possible for the exchange of vows in a Catholic Church to be celebrated by other than a Catholic witness (say a Protestant minister or a judge) during a Catholic ceremony in a Catholic church. If it takes place in the presence of an official Catholic witness, the marriage is considered valid by the Church.
Last edited on Sun Mar 18th, 2007 11:59 am by CajunRick
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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