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Archiver > MDSTMARY > 2003-03 > 1046742720


From: "Jerry L. Clark" <>
Subject: Re: [MDSTMARY-L] cousins marrying cousins
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2003 18:52:00 -0700
References: <5.0.2.1.0.20030303162700.00aaace0@mail.iquest.net><004301c2e1d9$9bd6e5a0$69fb4641@u7n7h6>
In-Reply-To: <004301c2e1d9$9bd6e5a0$69fb4641@u7n7h6>


>


These maybe the practices of today, but I don't know if they were the
practice in 1600's and 1700's. If they were several Catholics
obviously disobeyed there religion. Lots of 1st cousin marriages
happened.





> More than likely you would need to contact a priest and get him to
>provide you with the particular Canon Law, that restricts marriages between
>two people of close relationship. Then again, you may need a priest to help
>with the interpretation of the law.
> I have had the experience of having a relative marry her 2nd cousin, but
>a Catholic priest refused to perform the ceremony, as it was against the law
>of the church for 2nd cousins to marry, yet shortly after, the married 2nd
>cousins were allowed to have their marriage blessed, in the catholic church.
>Since the priest would not perform the original marriage, a Baptist
>minister performed the marriage ceremony.
> Having said that, there seems to be confusion about the issue, in that
>there is also this interpretation:
>
>(1) You can't marry a "direct line" relative (parent, grandparent, child,
>grandchild).
>
>(2) You can't marry certain "collateral line" blood relatives (aunt, uncle,
>niece, nephew, first cousin). The first first four of these are called the
>"third degree" of collateral consanguinity. The first cousin is the "fourth
>degree." For the first cousin, you step from yourself (1) to a parent (2) to
>an aunt/uncle (3) to a first cousin (4th degree). A sibling (brother/sister
>or half-) is referred to as the "second degree" of collateral
>consanguinity.]
>
>(3) You can marry collateral line blood relatives who are further removed --
>i.e., "fifth degree" or more. This would include "first cousin once removed"
>[a child of your first cousin], "second cousin," and so forth.
>
> Canon Law:
>Canon 1091
>§1 Marriage is invalid between those related by consanguinity in all degrees
>of the direct line, whether ascending or descending, legitimate or natural.
>§2 In the collateral line, it is invalid up to the fourth degree inclusive.
>§3 The impediment of consanguinity is not multiplied.
>§4 A marriage is never to be permitted if a doubt exists as to whether the
>parties are related by consanguinity in any degree of the direct line, or in
>the second degree of the collateral line.
>
>Canon 1092 Affinity in any degree of the direct line invalidates marriage.
>
>Canon 1094 Those who are legally related by reason of adoption cannot
>validly marry each other if their relationship is in the direct line or in
>the second degree of the collateral line.
>
>Canon 1078
>§1 The local Ordinary can dispense his own subjects wherever they are
>residing, and all who are actually present in his territory, from all
>impediments of ecclesiastical law, except for those whose dispensation is
>reserved to the Apostolic See. ...
>§3 A dispensation is never given from the impediment of consanguinity in the
>direct line or in the second degree of the collateral line.
>
>
>
>Sallie
>
>
>
>> At 11:08 AM 3/3/03 -0500, you wrote:
>> >Hello. I am trying to figure out the differing rules that the Roman
>> >Catholic Church in the 18th and 19th centuries--and the Episcopal Church
>> >at the same time--had for cousins marrying cousins.
>> >
>> >For example, when was a dispensation required? And, was someone allowed
>> >to marry their deceased spouse's brother/sister?
>> >
>> >Also, what do the terms "second degree relative," etc., mean when used in
>> >this context?
>> >
>> >Thanks! John Dobricky


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