My fiance and I are supposed to be married in the Catholic Church in a few months. We will be doing some traveling for his work, and in order to have expenses covered and health insurance, we have considered having a civil ceremony before the church wedding. Is this allowed by the Church?

-- (ksanon2653@yahoo.com), May 23, 2004

Answers

There is no reason to allow such a thing, since it accomplishes nothing. You will not be married after such a ceremony. Therefore, if it is your plan to live in sin for a couple of months as a prelude to your marriage, you can do so just as easily without going through a sham ceremony first. On the other hand, if you intend to live within the law of God until your wedding, you should do so without the pretense of marriage.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), May 24, 2004.