STAND FAST IN THE FAITH

New Zealand Tablet, 12 November 1914, Page 9

STAND FAST IN THE FAITH

(A Weekly / Instruction specially written for the N.Z» ■ " V Tablet by ‘Ghimel.’) • {T : , ___ , QUESTIQNS AND ANSWERS THE BANNS OF MARRIAGE. (1) Why are banns of marriage proclaimed in the Catholic Church ? (2) What are the regulations as to the times and places of the proclamation ? (3) Must the banns be proclaimed in ail cases of Catholic marriages ? If not, under - what circumstances and conditions is exemption allowed ? Answer to (1). The publication in the church of the names of persons intending marriage is designed to discover any impediment's that may exist to the celebration of that marriage. It is quite possible for the contracting parties to be, quite unknowingly, related within the forbidden degrees of kindred; it is possible, too, that one of the parties is already married, though the other s is not aware of it. In both these cases (two out of many) the simple announcement of the proposed marriage would prevent unhappiness and, in the second case, a grave wrong. " The Council of Trent (16th century) introduced special legislation in regard to this matter. Its object 'was to put a stop to clandestine (secret) marriages. 'The omission of the banns does not affect the validity of the marriage, only its lawfulness. Ju Answer, to (2). (a) The parish priest or his deputy makes the announcement in church, usually before or after the sermon. According to the Roman Ritual he is to announce the names of each of the parties, the names of their parents, place of birth or residence. He also states whether the proclamation is the first, second, or third. He is to warn those present that they are under a serious obligation to make known to him as soon as possible any impediment to the proposed marriage. (b) The publication takes place on three consecutive Fast Days (Sundays or Holidays of Obligation), generally, though not necessarily, at the principal Mass. The publication is to be made by the parish priest of the parties, or, supposing they reside in different parishes, by' their respective parish priests.. In the case of unsettled persons the banns are published where the marriage is to take place, and in the place or places of their birth. In the case of mixed marriages, the general law of the Church forbids publication of the banns. In some places, however, the practice is tolerated, though even here'no mention must be made of the religious belief of the non-Catholic party- (c) The obligation of making known the existence of any impediment to an intended marriage is a grave one. The parish priest should be informed of the supposed impediment as soon as possible. It is for him to investigate the statements made and if needs be to report the matter to the bishop-, who will decide whether or not a dispensation can or cannot, should or should not, be granted. There is no obligation, however, to make known ‘professional’ or official secrets, -those acquired, for example, by lawyers, , physicians, and especially by confessors in the discharge of their duties. Answer to (3). There are several .reasons recognised by Canon Law for. the omission of the . banns: fear of a malicious thwarting of the intended marriage; notable condition of age, or condition of life; peril of the good name of either party, etc. These are also omitted in the case of revalidation of marriage. In all cases the .dispensing authority must be' satisfied that there is a grave reason for the dispensation. .It falls to the bishop in the first instance to dispense with the publication of the banns. He as a rule grants this faculty to a certain number of parish priests, and may even grant it to all of them. a Usually a small fee is charged, not of course for the dispensation itself, but to cover expenses. These fees, like many others, must - lie devoted by the bishop? to works, of charity. ? ; - - /p- s |