1. The Church’s own laws (as distinct from the laws of God Himself) apply to Catholics only, whether baptised as Catholics or received into the Catholic Church.

2. For a true marriage to take place and to be recognised by the Church as valid, a Catholic is normally obliged to celebrate it in the presence of a duly authorised bishop, priest or deacon and two other witnesses. When there are serious difficulties in observing this ‘form’ the local Ordinary (i.e. the Bishop or Vicar General or Episcopal Vicar for Matrimonial Affairs) may, in the case of ‘mixed’ marriages (i.e. of a Catholic with a non-Catholic), in certain circumstances grant a dispensation in order to permit the marriage to be celebrated for example in the church of another communion. Without such a dispensation a Catholic cannot enter a valid marriage with a non-Catholic in, for example, a church or chapel of another denomination or in a Register Office. Thus it can happen that a Catholic ‘marries’ in a Register Office and the ‘marriage’ is recognised as valid in civil law but as non-existent in Church law. It must be remembered, however, that two non-Catholics marrying in another church or Register Office are contracting a true marriage which is recognised by the Church (provided both parties are baptised) as a true sacrament.

3. For a Catholic to be granted permission to marry a person belonging to another Church there are certain conditions:
(a) The Catholic must promise his/her readiness to eliminate the danger of falling away from the faith and to do what he/she can within the unity of the partnership to have any future children baptised and brought up as Catholics;
(b) The other party must be made aware of these promises as soon as they have been made;
(c) The other party is not required to give any undertaking in this matter, formally or informally. (Bishop’s Conference Revised Directory, April 1990, p. 15).
(d) Both parties are to be instructed on the meaning and purpose of marriage (viz, unity, indissolubility and openness to children), none of which is to be excluded from their intention in marrying.

4. Impediments to marriage are obstacles which prevent persons from contracting a valid marriage. Some of these impediments attach to human nature itself (e.g. a man cannot marry his sister). Other impediments are of Church law (e.g. a Catholic may not validly marry a person who has not been baptised). Not even the Pope can allow someone to marry against the ‘natural law’. But, in certain circumstances and for the spiritual good of the parties, the local Ordinary is empowered to grant a dispensation from most impediments which arise from Church law. For example, the Bishop, Vicar General or Episcopal Vicar for Matrimonial Affairs may allow, for a proportionate reason, a marriage of a Catholic to a person who has not been baptised; but the Pope reserves to himself all dispensations from the impediment arising from the obligation of clerical celibacy. Although the marriage of first cousins is the subject of the impediment of what is called consanguinity, such a degree of relationship is not sufficient of itself to prevent marriage (as does the relationship of brother and sister). But the Church forbids a marriage between cousins where a Catholic is concerned. These are just a few notions about impediments.

5. For many reasons a couple desiring to be married should give several months notice to the local parish priest. (It is wise to book the Church and the Reception at the same time).

6. A matrimonial tribunal exists in each diocese to investigate allegations of invalidity of marriage
Baptism in Case of Necessity. A marriage is always presumed to be valid unless the contrary is proved to the satisfaction of two distinct tribunals. A decree of nullity is not a divorce. An annulment is an official declaration by the competent authority of the Church that what had appeared to be a true marriage was not in fact a fully sacramental marriage. The procedure for a decree of nullity usually takes a few months, and members of the Diocesan Tribunal (cf. page 20) are happy to give guidance at any time.

Civil Formalities for Marriage
The bride and groom have the responsibility of personally informing their local Registrar of Marriages (whose address can be found in a local telephone directory) of the date, time and place of the proposed marriage.

In some places the local Registrar will attend. In others the Priest himself or a layperson is empowered to act for the Registrar as an “Authorised Person” to register the marriage.
Two witnesses must be present for the whole of the wedding.
When it is not possible to give the full notice, arrangements can be made with the Registrar for a marriage to take place after notice of one full day. Such arrangements should be made only in consultation with the local priest who is attending to all the formalities.

Notice to the Registrar of Marriage
The Registrar will explain all the procedures when the couple visit him/her.
Priests and other Authorised Persons are referred to page 3 of the current Authorised Persons Book.

Christian Baptism
1. A child should be baptised as soon as practicable after birth.
2. Ordinarily a child should be baptised in the parish to which his/her parents belong; if not, the permission of the parents’ Parish Priest must be sought.
3. The names given in Baptism should be in conformity with the dignity and Christian status conferred by the Sacrament and should preferably include the name of a Christian Saint.
4. Canon law requires only one godparent. In England there is a custom for two and both should be practising Catholics. A baptised non-Catholic may be a witness alongside a Catholic godparent, and the entry in the baptismal register should show this distinction.
5. Arrangements will be made by the priest for some instruction of the parents, and   Godparents if practicable.

Baptism in Case of Necessity
1. If there is danger of death the priest should be called in; but if there is danger of the person dying before the priest’s arrival, anyone may baptise.
2. Pour water on the head and say at the same time: ‘I baptise you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’.
3. Important:
(a) Use holy water if you have a supply in the house; otherwise water from the tap.
(b) Pour the water on the forehead and let it flow back over the head.
(c) Do not leave out or slur any of the words.
(d) If the child recovers the Priest should be informed and arrangements made to have the ceremonies of Baptism completed and the Baptism registered.

Registration of Births
The local Registrar must be notified within forty-two days of the birth. The information must be given personally by one of the following, who must call on the Registrar: the father or mother of the child; the occupier of the house of birth; person present at the birth; the person having charge of the child. The obligation rests first on the parents; in default of these it rests on the other persons mentioned.
In districts where the ‘Notification of Births Act (1907)’ is in force, notice must be given within thirty-six hours to the Medical Officer of Health by the father or person attending the mother. This is additional to the above registration.

The Eucharistic Fast
Canon 919
1. One who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain from any food or drink, with the exception only of water and medicine, for at least the period of one hour before Holy Communion.
2. A priest who celebrates the Most Holy Eucharist two or three times on the same day may take something before the second or third celebration even if the period of one   hour does not intervene.
3. Those who are advanced in age or who suffer from any infirmity, as well as those who take care of them, may receive the Most Holy Eucharist even if they have taken something during the previous hour. It is good to remind carers/nurses of this possibility).

Reception of the Eucharist a Second time on the same day
Canon 917
One who has received Holy Communion may receive it a second time on the same day, but only within a Mass in which that person participates.
Canon 921, §2
Even if they have already received Holy Communion that same day, it is nevertheless recommended that those in danger of death should communicate again.

Days of Fasting and Abstinence – Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Fasting is observed by all 18 years of age and older, who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday. On a fast day, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are allowed.

Abstinence is observed by all 14 years of age and older. On days of abstinence, no meat is allowed. Note that when health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. When in doubt concerning fast and abstinence, the parish priest should be consulted.

Friday Penance
Extract from a Statement of the Bishops of England and Wales on Canons 1249-1253 dated 24 January 1985.

1. The code of Canon Law reminds us that all of Christ’s faithful are obliged to do     penance. The obligation arises in imitation of Christ himself and in response to his call.  During his life on earth, not least at the beginning of his public ministry, Our Lord undertook voluntary penance. He invited his followers to do the same. The penance he invited would be a participation in his own suffering, an expression of inner conversion and a form of reparation for sin. It would be a personal sacrifice made out of love for God and our neighbour. It follows that if we are to be true, as Christians, to the spirit of Christ, we must practise some form of penance.

2. So that all may be united with Christ and with one another in a common practice of penance, the Church sets aside certain penitential days. On these days the faithful are to devote themselves in a special way to prayer, self-denial and works of charity. Such days are not designed to confine or isolate penance but to intensify it in the life of the Christian right through the year.

3. Lent is the traditional season of renewal and repentance in Church. The Code re-affirms this. It also prescribes that Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are to be observed as days of fast and abstinence. Fasting means that the amount of food we eat is considerably reduced. Abstinence means that we give up a particular kind of food or drink or form of amusement. Those over eighteen are bound by the law of fasting until the beginning of their sixtieth year, while all over fourteen are bound by the law of abstinence. Priests and parents are urged to foster the spirit and practice of penance among those too young to be the subjects of either law.

4.  Because each Friday recalls the crucifixion of Our Lord, it too is set aside as a special penitential day. The Church does not prescribe, however, that fish must be eaten on Fridays. It never did. Abstinence always meant the giving up of meat rather than the eating of fish as a substitute. What the Church does require, according to the Code, is that its members abstain on Fridays from meat or some other food or that they perform some alternative work or Penance laid down by the Bishops’ Conference.

5. In accordance with the mind of the universal Church, the Bishops of England and Wales remind their people of the obligation of Friday Penance, and instruct them that it may be fulfilled in one or more of the following ways:
(a) By abstaining from meat or some other food:
(b) By abstaining from alcoholic drink, smoking or some form of amusement:
(c) By making the special effort involved in family prayer, taking part in the Mass, visiting the Blessed Sacrament or praying the Stations of the Cross:
(d) By fasting from all food for a longer period than usual and perhaps giving what is saved in this way to the needy at home and abroad:
(e) By making a special effort to help somebody who is poor, sick, old or lonely.

6. The form of Penance we adopt each Friday is a matter of personal choice and does not have to take the same form every Friday. Failure to undertake this Penance on a particular Friday would not constitute a sin. However, Penance is part of the life of every Christian and the intention to do Penance on Friday is of obligation. We are confident that the faithful of England and Wales will take this obligation to heart in memory of the passion and death of Our Lord.

Care of the Sick
Sending for the Priest
In grave illness the priest should always be summoned. The priest should be called even in cases of fatal accidents or sudden death.

The Sickroom
(a) Prepare a table, covered with a white cloth, and place it at the foot of the bed, so that it can be seen by the sick person.
(b) Place on the table: A Crucifix between two lighted wax candles; a small glass of water; a small handkerchief; cotton wool (for the Sacrament of Holy Anointing).

Patients in Hospital
It is most important that on admission to hospital a patient (or his/her carers) inform the admission staff that they are Catholic and wish to be visited by the Catholic Chaplain. The hospital will not ask for this information, it is up to the patient to make it known and to make sure that a note is made. The Catholic Chaplain is normally the local Parish Priest where the hospital is situated, but not always. It is also important that the patient’s own Parish Priest be informed.

The Dying
1. The patient should hold a Crucifix in his hands. Holy Water should be sprinkled   frequently, and a blessed candle should be lighted.
2. Prayers. Say short prayers which are familiar to the sick person. Frequently invoke the Holy Name of Jesus.
3. When death seems near. Read in a clear voice the Prayers for the Dying. A Crucifix may be held to the lips of the sick person whilst saying a short act of contrition.
4. Death: Say the ‘Out of the Depths’ and the Prayers for the Departed Soul. Arrange lighted candles and holy water on a table near the body so that those who come to pray may sprinkle the body.

Registration of Death and Funeral
The local Registrar must be notified within five days of death; the informant must obtain from the doctor a certificate of the cause of death and give this to the Registrar when the death is notified. Written notice of death accompanied by the doctor’s certificate, may be sent to the Registrar within five days of the death; within fourteen days of the death, notification in person must be given to the registrar.

Discuss with the Priest a suitable day and time for the Funeral, before approaching the Funeral Director. They will normally speak to each other to firm up the arrangements. The custom of bringing the coffin to church the evening before the Funeral is to be commended. Remember to ask the Funeral Director for a firm quotation of his charges. These normally include the Church fee, which he will pass on to the Priest.

So called “green” Funerals are acceptable, provided there is no lack of respect or reverence.

Vicar Judicial