... in response to priest in medellin, posted by john_paul32177 on Oct 26, 2001In my opinion this is not nonsense and the course and six month waiting period might prevent some of the horror stories we have read. If you consider it nonsense, I suggest you consider a wedding by a justice of the peace.
In the United States, a pre-nupital course is generally required six months prior to marriage by the Catholic Church. The rules are sometimes bent but under cases like pregnancy. Every priest also has a responsibility to determine whether the parties are eligible to marry in the Catholic Church. This can be a complicated process when prior marriages exist by either of the two parties. I'm not sure about the rules in Colombia. I believe they come from the local bishop which would in your case be the bishop in Meddillion.
Every diocean priest she talks too would be subject to the same rules and guidelines and so this isn't a case of being difficult and abritary on their part. Have your novia speak to some non diocean priests and see what they say. Non-diocean priests belong to Orders and may have different rules as they are not subject to the same bishop. Some common religious orders are Jesuits, Carmelites, Augustinians, Benedictines and Franciscans.
