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SUTTON AND WAWNE
TEAM MINISTRY
Marriage in Church after Divorce
Explanatory Statement for Enquiring Couples
This is a copy of the pamphlet available to couples
"Seeking Advice on Re-marriage in Church"
Please ring the Church Office to obtain a copy
that comes complete with the Application Form,
called "Church of England Marriage Measures 2008"
that you will need to fill in.
Or you may download your copy of the form
CHURCH OF ENGLAND MARRIAGE MEASURES 2008
please click HERE
The process this leaflet describes reflects the Church's commitment, both to lifelong marriage, and to taking seriously your wish to marry in church. You may be certain that your application will be received and considered with dignity, care and loving concern. Whether or not you proceed to marriage in church, the clergy and your local church are available to offer you guidance and support as you proceed on life's journey.
Marriage in church after divorce.
The Church of England teaches that marriage is for life. It also recognises that some marriages sadly do fail and, if this should happen, it seeks to be available for all involved. The Church accepts that, in exceptional circumstances, a divorced person may marry again in church during the lifetime of a former spouse.
If you are thinking about asking to be married in church, you should discuss this with one of the clergy in the team. Please do this well before choosing a date for your wedding.
Some priests may be willing to take such a marriage, others may not be prepared to do so, on grounds of conscience, and may not allow the use of their church either. The law of the land permits them this choice.
If your parish priest is willing to discuss the possibility of conducting your marriage, he/she will want to talk to you frankly about the past, your hopes for the future and your understanding of marriage. You and your intended spouse should therefore be prepared to consider some questions. You are advised to reflect beforehand on the issues they raise - and should be prepared to answer them honestly.
What does marriage mean to you?
What have you learned from your previous marriage?
Has there been a healing of past hurts?
If you have children, how are they being looked after?
What do others think of your marriage plans?
When did your new relationship begin?
Have either of you been divorced more than once?
Are you wanting to grow in the Christian faith?
If you wish to proceed with your enquiry, both of you should complete the attached application form and return it to the Church Office. You will need to bring with you written legal proof that any divorce decree is absolute ( A decree nisi will not be sufficient).
It is likely that your priest may ask for more than one confidential interview with you and your intended spouse together. Your priest may also need to consult with the bishop or his adviser, before making a decision, although the decision remains with the parish priest.
This process could easily take some time, and you should discuss how long it might take with the team clergy at your initial meeting. If it is not possible for your proposed marriage to take place in church, your priest may consider other alternatives with you. If your priest agrees to conduct a marriage service, you may be invited to take part, possibly with other couples, in marriage preparation.
What happens here at Sutton and Wawne?
At the moment we are only considering couples who actually live in the parish.
You receive this form which you fill in and return to us at The Church Office, 25 Church Street, Sutton-on-Hull, HU7 4TL.
Then one of the clergy will contact you to arrange a meeting. At the meeting we will discuss your forthcoming marriage and what it might involve for you as a couple. After the meeting, we will let you know whether we think a Christian marriage ceremony is appropriate for you. If so, it will be our pleasure to work with you towards your big day.
If we have decided that your marriage should be in Church, we as a Team want to encourage you to explore more the part God plays in our lives, and so we ask all couples to join us on an Alpha Course of 12 weeks.
What's involved in Alpha ?
Each evening begins with a meal. There then follows a video and then there is opportunity to discuss. The setting is welcoming, relaxed and unthreatening. After the course you will be free to book your wedding in one of our 4 churches. This should be done either through the Office (25 Church Street, telephone 709699) or through Jean Sutherland in St James Church on any Monday between 5.00pm and 7.00pm. We look forward to meeting with you.
For both applicants :
(Please note that the parish priest will refer to the information in this application form and other relevant information from meeting with you when considering and responding to your request to be married in church. He or she may also choose to share it with the diocesan bishop and/or the bishop's adviser. If your application is not accepted, and you later make a further application in another parish, the information you have given on this occasion may be shared with the priest who considers your further application. With these exceptions, the information you have given in this form and in your interview will be treated as confidential)
To download your copy of the form
CHURCH OF ENGLAND MARRIAGE MEASURES 2008
please click HERE
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
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