MISSIONIS SUI IURIS FUNAFUTINAE
(Missio Sui Iuris of Funafuti)
Christ the King Roman Catholic Church
Teone, Funafuti, Tuvalu
P.O. Box 58
Matrimony
Definition: Matrimony is the sacrament in which a baptized man and woman are united in a lifelong covenant of love, signifying the union of Christ and His Church, and are called to share in the creation of new life.
• Scriptural Basis: “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5).
Requirements to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony:
A. Personal and Spiritual Requirements
1. Baptism:
• Both parties must be baptized Christians, with at least one being Catholic.
• If one is unbaptized, a dispensation from the local bishop is required for a valid marriage.
2. Free Consent:
• Both parties must freely consent to the marriage. Coercion or deceit invalidates the sacrament.
3. Intention of Lifelong Commitment:
• The couple must intend to enter into a lifelong, exclusive, and faithful union.
4. Openness to Children:
• The couple must be open to the procreation and education of children.
5. Emotional and Psychological Maturity:
• Both parties must possess the maturity necessary to commit to a lifelong partnership.
B. Canonical and Legal Requirements
1. Pre-Marital Preparation:
• Couples are required to participate in pre-marital counseling or a marriage preparation program (e.g., Pre-Cana) to understand the responsibilities and spiritual significance of marriage.
2. Freedom to Marry:
• Neither party can be bound by a previous valid marriage unless annulled.
• Impediments (e.g., consanguinity, religious vows) must be addressed.
3. Celebration in the Presence of the Church:
• The marriage must be celebrated before a bishop, priest, or deacon, and two witnesses, unless a dispensation is granted for a different form of celebration.
4. Canonical Form:
• Catholics must follow the prescribed form of marriage unless dispensed (e.g., marrying a non-Catholic in their tradition).
C. Special Considerations
1. Interfaith Marriages:
• A Catholic may marry a non-Catholic with permission (mixed marriage) or dispensation (if unbaptized).
• The Catholic party must promise to remain faithful and do their best to raise children in the Catholic faith.
2. Marriage Validation:
• Couples whose civil marriage is not sacramental can seek convalidation through the Church.
Catholic Doctrine on the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a covenant in which a baptized man and a baptized woman establish a lifelong partnership, ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of children. It is a sacred union that mirrors Christ’s love for His Church.
​
1. Biblical and Theological Foundations
• Instituted by God:
Holy Matrimony is rooted in God’s design for creation, as seen in Genesis:
“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
• Christ’s Elevation of Marriage:
Jesus elevated marriage to a sacrament, emphasizing its indissolubility:
“What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6).
• Symbol of Christ and the Church:
St. Paul compares the love between husband and wife to Christ’s love for the Church:
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
​
2. Key Doctrinal Points
• Sacramental Nature:
Marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament. It sanctifies the couple and makes their union a sign of Christ’s love.
• Indissolubility:
Once validly entered into, marriage is a lifelong, unbreakable covenant.
• Procreative and Unitive Ends:
• The sacrament is oriented toward the mutual good of the spouses (unitive) and the generation and education of children (procreative).
• Openness to life is essential to the marital union.
• Mutual Self-Gift:
Matrimony is a vocation of mutual self-giving, where the couple strives to grow in holiness together.
• Grace of the Sacrament:
The sacrament gives the couple the grace to love each other as Christ loves the Church and to fulfill their duties as spouses and parents.
​​
3. Effects of the Sacrament of Matrimony
1. Sanctifying Grace:
• Strengthens the couple to live out their marriage faithfully and lovingly.
2. Bond of Unity:
• Establishes an unbreakable sacramental bond between the spouses.
3. Participation in God’s Creative Work:
• Allows the couple to cooperate with God in bringing new life into the world.
4. Witness to Christ’s Love:
• The couple becomes a visible sign of Christ’s covenantal love for the Church.
​
4. Pastoral Support
The Church provides ongoing support for married couples, offering guidance, resources, and sacraments to help them grow in faith and live out their vocation.
​
Conclusion
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is a sacred covenant, a calling to live in faithful love, and a reflection of God’s love for His people. By fulfilling its requirements and embracing its grace, couples not only strengthen their union but also witness to the transformative power of God’s love in the world.
