Remedying the Current State of Affairs After Entry in Marriage Between a Latin-Rite Person and a Non-Catholic Spouse of the Eastern Rite Without a Dispensation From the Canonical Form with the Presence of Sacred Minister

Abstract

Marriage contracted between a Catholic party and a non-Catholic spouse of an Eastern rite in Orthodox Church with no dispensation from the canonical form enjoys the favour of law. It means that within forum internum and forum externum it should be treated as contracted validly unless the church tribunal says it is invalid. A Catholic who in such circumstances utters his or her consensus commits a sin and crime which should be punished with just penalty. Such marriage should be noted in the marriage register of the parish in which it was contracted and in the baptism register of the Catholic party. The Catholic spouse is bound to notify as soon as possible the same ordinary and pastor about the marriage celebrated. Due to the complexity of the matter it is recommended that the priest before drawing the marital contract consult the local ordinary. If there were any premises which could lead to challenging the preassumtion of marriage validity, the ordinary should resolve whether this marriage could be convalidated or brought forward before the promoter of justice to question the validity of so contracted marriage. If any of the parties entered in marriage according to the law of their respective community, the first marriage has the favour of law. In such a case there are premises to proclaim the nullity of the marriage contracted in the Orthodox Church.