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The
sacrament of Marriage
The Christian church teaches that:
- Marriage
is a gift of God our creator.
- It
is a symbol of God's unending love for his people, and of the
union between Christ and his Church.
- Marriage
is a lifelong partnership uniting a woman and a man in heart,
mind and body. In the joy of their union, husband and wife enrich
and respond to each other, growing in tenderness and understanding.
- Through
marriage a new family is formed, where children may be born and
grow in secure and loving care.
Marriage
is therefore to be honoured by all. No one should enter it lightly
or selfishly, but responsibly and joyfully, with mutual respect
and the promise to be faithful.
(A Prayer Book for Australia 1995)
If you share this view of marriage, then we invite you to consider
celebrating your wedding day in an Anglican Parish. Please contact
your Parish to discuss local arrangements and conditions. There
are many things you need to arrange before your wedding day, but
keep in mind that the wedding day is not an end in itself. The
wedding day itself is only the beginning!
Are there any special requirements?
Yes, there are some requirements under Church and civil law which
govern all marriages, and it is important to check that you comply
with these:
Both
parties to the marriage must be at least 18 years old, and at
least one must be a Baptised Christian in order for you to be
married in the Church.
The legal notice of marriage must be completed and given to
your Celebrant at least one month and one day, and not more
than eighteen months, before the marriage takes place,
regardless of where you marry in Australia.
Original copies of your birth certificates
(or passports for those born overseas) must be sighted.
One
of us has been divorced. Does that make a difference?
Divorced
persons who wish to remarry in the Church need to apply to the
Archbishop of Adelaide for permission. This is normally only
granted to people who regularly attend their own church, and
who have participated in a course of marriage education.
The Priest of the parish you attend or in which you reside would
need to apply for such permission before a booking can be confirmed
at the Church.
Can
we have our own Minister or Priest?
It
is a requirement that the minister who administers the wedding
vows and signs the marriage certificate is an Anglican Priest
who has the authorisation of both the Rector of the Parish and
the Archbishop of Adelaide to do so.
Under most circumstances a parish will be happy to extend hospitality
to other Anglican clergy to officiate. Please discuss this with
the Rector before making any arrangements.
Ministers of other churches may also be invited to take part in
the service, in consultation with your Celebrant.
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