Marriage Preparation at St Mary Moorfields
The mission of St Mary Moorfields is to those who live and work in the City. These are the criteria for those who wish to be married in this church. If you would like further information, please contact Fr Peter.
Marriage Preparation
The Catholic Church believes that a period of preparation is essential before a couple get married. The parish holds seven separate marriage days each 'academic year' to which all couples wanting to get married must attend. The day runs from 9:45am to 4.00pm. It features talks on the human and spiritual aspects of marriage. The format of the day consists of talks from Fr Peter, two trained catechists a natural family practitioner, and discussions on formation assisted by the catechists.
The course costs £60 for each couple. This includes lunch. Forthcoming dates are Saturday 5th November 2011; The dates for 2012 are as follows: Saturday 11th February; Saturday 24th March; Saturday 28th April; Saturday 19th May; Saturday 7th June; Saturday 7th July.
Marriage documents
Every couple must arrange for their marriage paperwork to be completed by a Catholic Priest (never a wedding planner). These documents are necessary to ensure that both parties are 'free' to marry their spouse. The normal practise is for the Parish Priest, where one of the couple lives, to prepare the paperwork. This is not normally undertaken by the Church where the wedding is to takeplace, unless of course, they are the same.
The preparation of marriage paperwork attracts a charge of £30 payable to the Diocese of Westminster (WRCDT). The paperwork for marriages taking place outside the country, or between a Catholic and non-Catholic are always sent to the Chancellor of the Diocese who then grants permisison and sends the papers onto the Diocese or Church (only ifin Westminster Diocese) concerned.
It is now no longer possible for this Church to complete the paperwork for those couples living outside the Diocese of Westminster (London north of the Thames) owing to issues of jurisdiction. For those attending the marriage course help is given to locate the appropriate priest to complete the paperwork.
The following documents are required:
From Catholics
1.Baptism Certificate.
This is obtained from the Parish in which you were baptized.
2. Letter of Freedom.
This is obtainable by signing a Statutory Declaration of Freedom in front of a Commissioner of Oaths (normally a Commissioner of Oaths). This parish uses a local solicitor, Amita Patel, of Amy & Co, Houndsditch, 020 7539 3535, who provides an efficient service and stamps the form, though any firm of Solicitors would be acceptable. These documents must be stamped with the name of the firm. A simple signature IS NOT sufficient, even with a card of the firm attached. (Please note this is an absolute requirement for marriages taking place abroad). The necessary forms may be collected from this Church or ent as a pdf.
3. Permission from your parish priest.
This is only applicable for marriages taking place in Great Britain.
4. A copy of your birth certificate, if you are being married outside the United Kingdom.
From other Christian denominations
1. Baptism Certificate.
2. Letter of Freedom.
As above.
3. A copy of your birth certificate, if you are being married outsdie the United Kingdom.
A Non-baptised person
1. Letter of Freedom.
As above.
2. A copy of your birth certificate, if you are being married outside the United Kingdom.
Dispensation from Canonical Form (for marriage in a non-Catholic Church)
The Church assumes that her members will marry in a Catholic church. However, it understands that sometimes this may be impossible.
A valid marriage may be contracted in the Church of England, using the Anglican form of service, in special circumstances such as the church being the regular place of worship of the Anglican party. For the marriage to be recognised by the Catholic Church the relevant paperwork and preparation, as described above, would still have to take place.
Please note that permission can never be given for a Catholic to marry sacramentally in a secular venue, such as a hotel, beach etc.
Confirmation
Every Catholic who wishes to be married anywhere other than Great Britain must be confirmed. The parish has developed a special course for those who wished to be confirmed prior to their marriage. The current course started on Monday 27th September 2011 with the Sacrament being administered on Sunday 12th February 2012. The next course will begin on Monday 5th March 2012 and finish on Sunday 8th July 2012. Classes take place on Monday between 6:30pm and 7:30pm