A Dispensation for Marriage
Jonathan Singalis and Sarah Steiner come to you because they want to be married
in your parish. Jon is an active Roman Catholic; his fiancée, Sarah, is
Jewish. What kind of dispensation do they need in order to have a valid and licit
marriage in the Church? To whom do they apply for it? How likely is it that they
will be granted this dispensation? Since Sarah is not baptized, will their marriage
be a sacramental union?
Analyze this case:
- What are the key facts of the case?
- Are there any other facts you would need or like to know?
- What are the key pastoral issues involved?
- What canons do you see as pertinent to this case?
- What literary, rhetorical & historical aspects of these canons are
important for their interpretation?
- How would you resolve the case? (specify your official position in the
parish)
- What are the grounds for your decision?
- Briefly, what are the ethical, pastoral, and theological implications of
your decision?
Variations:
- What if Jon and Sarah come back to your parish after being married while
on vacation in Europe? If they received a dispensation from the Bishop of
Lyons, and were married in his diocese, is their marriage valid? Is it licit?
Is it a sacramental marriage?
- What if your priest marries Jon and Sarah without applying for the necessary
dispensation? Is their marriage valid? Is it licit? Is it a sacramental marriage?