answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

If one or both of them are not of the same religious beliefs of the Priest. If the marriage is just wrong, for the wrong reasons, or dangerous.

If they weren't both of the Christian faith or if one of the persons was still married.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

A couple seeking to marry in the Catholic Church can only do so if they are both free to enter into marriage. A priest cannot perform a wedding ceremony if one or both of the parties seeking to marry are not free to do so. Therefore a priest will not marry a couple if one or both is not free to enter into marriage.

Canon Law spells out a whole list of impediments to marriage. Some impediments can be dispensed with as they are of ecclesiastical origin, others are of Divine origin, and therefore cannot be dispensed. The following are a list of impediments:

Age: A man under 16 years, and a women under 14 years cannot validly marry because they lack the emotional capacity and maturity to enter into a marital contract

Impotence: If one of both of the spouses is impotent and the condition is permanent (can never be medically corrected.)

Previous Marriage: One who is divorced but did not seek and receive an annulment is not free to marry.

Disparity of Cult: This is a marriage between a Catholic baptized party and a unbaptized party. Without a dispensation, a priest cannot marry the couple.

Sacred Orders: A priest who left the priesthood cannot marry without a dispensation from the Holy See.

Vow of Chastity: One who has made solemn vows (A religious) but leaves the order cannot marry without a dispensation from the Holy See.

Abduction: One cannot kidnap another party and force them to marry. One must enter into marriage freely.

Crimen: One or both of the parties cannot murder the spouse of another then seek to marry them. Interestingly enough this can be dispensed and I am not sure why, but it probably has to do with some obscure something or other that happened in history.

Consanguinity: You cannot marry someone closely related to you by blood- such as your sister.

Affinity: Parties related by marriage in a prohibited degree.

Catholics are bound by Sacramental Form. This means that if a Catholic attempts to marry outside the Church without a dispensation the marriage is invalid.

Non-Catholics are not bound by sacramental form.

In any case priests cannot marry those who are not free to Marry unless or until the impediment (thing standing in the way of the marriage) is resolved.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

A Catholic Priest is permitted to perform the nuptials of two individual Catholics, or that in which only one of the parties is Catholic. A priest may not perform the marriage of two non-Catholics. [I am a Priest, and personally] I discourage marriage in the Church if the Catholic party(ies) do not practice the faith -- they want pretty pictures. If the couple is already living together. Should a child be involved, and the parties were trying their best to practice their faith, I would first investigate to assure myself that they "freely" wish to marry. In all cases there assurance must be obtained that the children would be baptized and educated in the Roman Catholic Faith.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Under what conditions might a priest refuse the sacrament of matrimony to a couple?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Is it the priest or couple who administer the sacrament of holy matrimony?

The couple administers the sacrament . The priest witnesses and b validates the marriage.


Who is the minister the sacrament of matrimony?

While the priest or deacon witness the matrimony, in the Western Church (i.e. Roman Catholics), the minister of the Sacrament of marriage is the couple themselves. They do so by their mutual consent. In the East however, due to the different development of the theology of matrimony, the presiding priest or bishop is the minister of the sacrament.


Who are the ministers of sacrament of matrimony?

The ministers of Matrimony are the man and woman themselves. They "marry" each other. The priest is just the Church's official witness, and he pronounces the nuptial blessing. This is why a couple can get married, with permission, before a protestant minister, or even with no witnesses or Church permission if they are stuck on a desert island and there is no one around.


Who administrates the sacrament of Matrimony?

An ordained minister or priest only. However civil marriage can be performed by a judge, a captain, a chaplain, or a justice of the peace,


How is the Sacrament of Matrimony administered?

A deacon, priest or bishop.Roman Catholic AnswerIn the Catholic church the man and woman getting married administer the sacrament to each other, the priest, deacon or bishop is just the church's official witness, and confers the blessing on the marriage.


Does one conduct a ceremony or perform a ceremony?

It depends upon the ceremony. In the Christian traditions, for example, matrimony is considered to be a sacrament between the marrying parties. In that case the priest or minister would conduct the ceremony. If s/he blesses the couple, that would be performing a blessing.


Who is the minister of this sacrament?

While the priest or deacon witness the matrimony, in the Western Church (i.e. Roman Catholics), the minister of the Sacrament of marriage is the couple themselves. They do so by their mutual consent. In the East however, due to the different development of the theology of matrimony, the presiding priest or bishop is the minister of the sacrament.


What sacrament is related to the sacrament of matrimony?

If you are talking about the sacraments in their categories, you are speaking of the Sacraments of Vocation. Matrimony is the first of the vocational sacraments. The other is the Holy Orders. The Holy Orders are when a priest is ordained. In most situations, a person takes one sacrament or the other upon themselves. In few situations are they permitted both, but the Catholic church examines marriage of clergy members in special situations on a case by case basis.


Who administer the celebration of matrimony?

A priest.


Who is the minister of the sacrements of matrimony?

A priest.


Is it required for Catholics to marry as part of the Seven Sacraments?

If a Catholic marries, he is required to do this in the presence of a priest, to have his marriage recognized and blessed by the Church. The sacrament of matrimony is one of the seven sacraments, the grace of this particular sacrament is solely oriented towards the spouse. Catholics are not required to be married, but if they do marry, then they must participate in the sacrament.


Who is the usual minister of the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick?

A bishop or a priest is normally the ministers of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.