Several weeks ago, Pope Francis asserted
that most marriages are invalid because young people today do not understand the
Church’s definition of marriage nor the reality of that to which they are
expected to consent.
News story:
It appears that the relevant canons would be 1099 and 1101.
The Diocese of Madison has a helpful website which presents the cannons along
with commentary and examples.
A person cannot validly consent to something they do not
believe in. A deeply held false belief
that marriage is disposable, for example, constitutes a defect of
consent.
However, the modern progressive societies where such a belief
would be prevalent are the same places where there is a widespread and easily
accessible information network, along with sufficient resources to provide
marriage preparation, such that a person would be stretching the limits of the
plausible to claim ignorance about a basic element of both family life and
Christianity, namely, the qualities of indissolubility and unity in
marriage. We have the opportunity, in the developed world at least, to
overcome the false beliefs imposed on young people by the media and the bad
example of their elders.
The text of the vows is sufficient to declare to the
individuals what constitutes the definition of marriage. Marriage
preparation in the most basic form can explore the text of these vows and
unpack their meaning for the couple. Insofar
as they are not impeded by mental illness, drugs or alcohol, or have not been
otherwise deceived or manipulated, they have the ability to know and understand
that to which they are consenting. Therefore, their declaration of
consent is made with knowledge.
Other defects enter in when the individuals consent for the
wrong reasons or without careful thought, or are otherwise under undue
pressure, duress or influence. Even in such a case of outside influence, the individuals would
have knowledge of what constitutes the Church’s definition of marriage because they heard it
in marriage preparation and in the ceremony.
The question arises in an annulment investigation: did one
or other of the persons explicitly or implicitly simulate an essential property
of marriage? Did they verbally speak words
they could not have the ability to understand because of a deeply held understanding
of marriage contrary to Catholic doctrine?
Sure, this is possible. But so
widespread that most marriages are invalid?
Unlikely.
Either way: the pope’s words are as clear a reminder as any that
marriage preparation is a vital part of the new evangelization and the quality
of said preparation must be improved. There is no excuse for a couple not to know want they are committing to in their vows. The priest needs to share the doctrine and holy couples are essential as "sponsors" to give a living example of a holy family life.
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