CONVALIDATION OF MARRIAGE Meaning and
Definition
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The convalidation of marriage is a term used in the context of religious institutions, particularly the Catholic Church, to describe the process through which a marriage is recognized as valid and sacramental. It refers to the act of validating or making legally recognized a marriage that may have initially been invalid or lacking the necessary requirements for sacramental significance.
In the Catholic Church, for example, a convalidation can occur when a couple has entered into a civil marriage, but has not yet had their union solemnized according to the religious norms of the Church. To convalidate such a marriage, the couple must participate in a formal religious ceremony, usually performed by a priest, that brings their marriage into alignment with the religious requirements, thereby rendering it valid and sacramental in the eyes of the Church.
The convalidation process normally involves filling out some paperwork, attending a pre-marital counseling session, and providing proof of the civil marriage. It may also require the couple to go through the sacrament of confession if they have been living in a state of sin due to the civil marriage without prior religious approval.
The convalidation of marriage is significant for Catholic couples as it ensures that their union is fully recognized by the Church and grants them access to the spiritual benefits associated with the sacrament of marriage.
