How much to compensate priest for wedding

[Sponsa-Christi]

12 hours ago, BarbaraTherese said:

Does the priest-celebrant need to ensure that couples requesting marriage understand their Catholic commitment?

Of course, a priest does need to ensure in a basic way that a couple understands the commitment they're making. But the thing is, from a canonical perspective, the basic concept of marriage isn't all that complicated. Essentially, a couple just needs to be clear that marriage is: exclusive, life-long, and ordered to the procreation of children. Making sure that a couple understands this is something that can be accomplished in a twenty-minute meeting with a parish priest---it doesn't require hundreds of dollars in fees and several days spent taking classes. 

An engaged couple doesn't need to be able to articulate all the deep sacramental theology of matrimony (as wonderful as it would be if they could!) in order to marry validly in the Church. I think it's a great thing when in-depth pre-marriage classes are available and offered to couples, but I don't think they should be made absolutely mandatory.  I think the right to marry takes presence over catechetical best-case scenarios. 

[Peace]

On April 2, 2016 at 8:57:18 PM, HisChildForever said:

 

On top of that, we had to pay for Pre-Cana and a second class called God's Plan for a Joyful Marriage. The combined cost for those two classes was just over $200. Furthermore, I had a service, not a Mass, as my husband and his family are Protestant, so we used the church for half an hour. We had no flowers so no need for clean up (the church is gorgeous enough already with tons of statues, candles, and the flowers they have thoughout the year). I was told that the $600 fee would be distributed out to the church, organist, and cantor. The secretary also forgot to inform me of the fee, and I received a call after the rehearsal because the rehearsal is when you typically give the "donation." So I found out like a couple days before my wedding that I had to pay this.

Did it bug you marrying a non-Catholic? My g.f. is not Catholic and it still bugs me. A big stumbling block for me.

[BarbTherese]

4 hours ago, Sponsa-Christi said:

Of course, a priest does need to ensure in a basic way that a couple understands the commitment they're making. But the thing is, from a canonical perspective, the basic concept of marriage isn't all that complicated. Essentially, a couple just needs to be clear that marriage is: exclusive, life-long, and ordered to the procreation of children. Making sure that a couple understands this is something that can be accomplished in a twenty-minute meeting with a parish priest---it doesn't require hundreds of dollars in fees and several days spent taking classes. 

An engaged couple doesn't need to be able to articulate all the deep sacramental theology of matrimony (as wonderful as it would be if they could!) in order to marry validly in the Church. I think it's a great thing when in-depth pre-marriage classes are available and offered to couples, but I don't think they should be made absolutely mandatory.  I think the right to marry takes presence over catechetical best-case scenarios. 

Thank you again for comments

The times I have talked in depth with married couples about Catholic marriage has not been often at all, but certainly at times I have done so.  It does seem to me that they understand the more negative aspects in that there can be no divorce, and that they cannot use contraception (although there is one method that they can use).  But there seems to be no understanding whatsoever of the very positive witness married couples have to give to The Church and the world.......the important place of marriage in The Church.  I don't think they need to articulate the "deep sacramental theology of matrimony" to do so as wonderful as it would be, I agree.

Because of the breakdown of marriage that is becoming not at all uncommon in The Church, I think something free and mandatory for pre-marriage couples should be done......especially since marriage does have such an important place in The Church.......even something to read over a period with Father asking questions at some later point to ensure they understand.  That is, not so much as an exam type situation as Father asking questions and if they get it wrong, Father gently corrects and explains since they either misunderstand or have no understanding.

Catholics do have a right to marry for sure..........and The Church as hierarchy and leadership has the obligation, responsibility and accountability to ensure couples know what they are doing it seems to me - both in the more negative and also the positive aspects of Catholic marriage.  If a couple does not have a relatively well informed understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage at the time of marriage, can a valid sacramental marriage take place?  It keeps 'ringing in my ears' : "Father forgive them, they know not what they do".

 

 

[EmmaElizabeth]

Thank you to everyone for ALL of the input...I really appreciate it!!

God Bless!!

[BarbTherese]

Wedding Stipend for a Priest