There are a variety of reasons for why couples do not get married in the Church. In some cases, one of the spouses is not Catholic, or one of the spouses has been previously married and has not received a Decree of Invalidity an Annulment.
An important factor is that many younger couples get married at a time in their lives when they are re-examining their faith and their relationship to the Church they were raised in. Like biological adolescence, this development is necessary in order for individuals to become spiritually mature adults who can embrace for themselves the faith once shared with them by their families. Couples got married in the Church because that is what they were expected to do, and it was what pretty much everyone did.
Getting married in the Church is not something everyone does, so every couple has to decide whether being married in the Church and participating regularly in the faith community is important -- whether it will make a difference in their lives and in their marriage. More than ever before, getting married in the Church requires a conscious, deliberate decision.
Catholics believe that our faith and our participation in the Church do make a difference. You may be at a point in your life when you are ready to renew your commitment to the Catholic faith and your active participation in the Church. If that is the case, we invite you to take the first step by having your marriage recognized and blessed by the Church. We believe that it will make a real difference in your life, your marriage, and the lives of your children.
Catholics who were not married in the Church are considered members of the Church living in an irregular marriage. They are not excommunicated and are free to participate in some but not all aspects of the Catholic faith community. For example, if you were not married in the Church you may:. The Catholic community in Waterloo is eager to encourage and assist couples who wish to have their marriage recognized and blessed by the Church.
