CIRCULAR NO. 7/88-SIMULATION FO MARRIAGE

March 4, 1988

Dear Monsignor/Father:

The modern means of social communications and travel to a great extent have enhanced the mobility of people. For this  reason we see foreigners coming to our place, not only for the sake of tourism but also to look for women who can be their suitable partners in marriage.

Sad to say, several of these foreigners, much decided they may be to enter into marriage with Filipina women in the Catholic Church, cannot contract canonical marriage.  Either they are divorced or they do not believe in the unity or indissolubility of marriage.

As permission for such marriages are denied by our Diocesan Chancery, they ask for a Church blessing in their parish church or church/chapel of their choice.

In view of the foregoing, I have issued this Circular Letter in order to warn all the diocesan and religious who are engaged in the pastoral ministry in this Archdiocese to refrain from imparting any form of Church blessing to couples under the above mentioned cases in the church or chapel.

Statute no. 50 of the Fourth Diocesan Synod of Cebu clearly states: “Blessings which simulate a sacramental act must never be given”.

In this connection, the Apostolic Exhortation, “Familiaris Consortis”, of  Pope John Paul II, in no 84, says:

“The respect dur to the Sacrament of Matrimony, to the couples themselves and their families, and also to the community of the faithful, forbids any priest, for whatever reason or pretext even of a pastoral nature ot perform ceremonies of any kind for divorced people who remarry.”

” Such ceremonies would give the impression of the celebration of a new sacramentally valid marriage, and would thus lead people into error concerning the indissolubility of a validly contracted marriage”.

Priest who will be found guilty of simulation of marriage shall be deprived of the power of jurisdiction to solemnize in this Archdiocese, and shall be punished accordingly.

So please be guided accordingly.

With our paternal blessing, I remain

Your loving Prelate,

By mandate of the Archbishop: + RICARDO J. CARDINAL VIDAL

Archbishop of Cebu

Very Rev. Fr. EMILIO L. BATACLAN

Archdiocesan Chancellor