Marriage notes

[Cali vet]

We went to the office of the padre in La Flora yesterday to find out about the churches requirements regarding matramony with a non-christian (I delicately avoided using the term ateo). I had had a conversation with Hoda in Cali about the subject since he'd just completed the process. It turns out, as he said, my having no ties with religions makes it easier than if I were Baptist or some other non-Catholic religion. We were told that I must fill out a certain form but no need to join the church, get babtised or other Catholic trappings, then we must attend a pre matrimony class for a week. The church charges only $70.000 to perform the service and we contract with someone else for the flowers etc. I know there's gotta be a hitch but so far it looks pretty simple. The fact that I have a cedula extranjeria helped to simplify things too. Will report back after I read that form.

[Craig]

... in response to Marriage notes, posted by Cali vet on Oct 8, 2002

I'm not trying to bust your sack here, but it seems to me that your trying in someway to find some crack in the armor to get married in the Catholic church, I would imagine it's to appease your fiancee. From your comment about the baptism calling it "trappings" I would hope that you understand that from a Catholic such as myself the entire ceremony based on those words to me would be an insult. On paper you may be married but that's it. For those who may not know the reason you marry in front of witnesses is that they can verify your vows you took in front of "God" based on belief's and teachings of the church. I can tell you that if you tried to marry in the Catholic church here and referred to a Catholic baptism as a "trapping" you would most likely be denied.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Marriage notes, posted by Craig on Oct 8, 2002

I'm not a Catholic and really don't know anything about the religion. You are right that my priority is to make my novia happy by agreeing to a wedding that celebrates her beliefs. It appears that her religious system ie the Catholic church makes provision for matrimonial unions such as ours involving a non-member such as myself without introducing any "cracks in the armor". Interesting choice of phraze there by the way. Anyway I consider marriage a sacred obligation that is independent of any religious beleif system so I guess I'd have to say paper shmaper.

[burbuja2]

... in response to Re: Re: Marriage notes, posted by Cali vet on Oct 8, 2002

Even though I was baptized and confirmed Catholic, I certainly don't consider myself one now.  My fiancee said that she has always dreamed of a big church wedding so I told her I'd do it for her sake.  I agree with you that an individual can view marriage as sacred in the absence of a religous ceremony, just as an atheist can follow Biblical teachings (except for belief in a deity).  Anyway Vet, I guess you and me are in the same boat.  Make no mistake about it, however, my cabin is much larger than yours.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Same Church...Different Pew, posted by burbuja2 on Oct 8, 2002

Don't know about your cabin but I sure like the view from mine.

[Calipro]

... in response to Marriage notes, posted by Cali vet on Oct 8, 2002


 I never heard of a cedula extraneria before. How is it a benifit?
 Also I would like to open a bank account in Cali so I can wire money to it. Any information on bank dealings would be appreciated.

[Cali vet]

... in response to cedula extranjeria ?, posted by Calipro on Oct 8, 2002

I don't know if you can open an account without a cedula. If I hear that you can I'll pass it along. You may be able to do it with a passport. If you want to wire money you have to open an account with a bank that has international dealings like Citybank. I opened an account today with a bank that lets you pay your utillity bills on line instead of waiting IN line. The lines for bill paying at banks can be really long. I timed one I was in the other day at twenty minutes. However money can't be wired to my account from the US.

To get a cedula you first must get a visa; work, student or retirement for example. Upon entering Colombia you have to register the visa within sixty days at a DAS office which amounts to applying for a cedula extranjeria (foreigner). The advantage beyond opening bank accounts etc is that you can stay as long as you want and enter and leave as you  please. No three month limit.

[El Diablo]

... in response to Marriage notes, posted by Cali vet on Oct 8, 2002

If a person's willing to convert by getting Baptized, receiving Communion and Confirmation then there's no  need for any dispensation....you're Catholic at that point....

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Marriage notes, posted by El Diablo on Oct 8, 2002

In the conversation we had with the church office there was no mention of conversions as the requirements were explained to us.

[El Diablo]

... in response to Re: Re: Marriage notes, posted by Cali vet on Oct 8, 2002

I read your original post to fast, you said there was "no need to join the church, get baptized" etc.  OK in that case you will need a dispensation from the Bishop.  All your paper work must be headed to the Bishop's office for his ultimate approval.  It sounds like it's more of a formality than I thought in the Cali Diocese or perhaps the local Priest's recommendation is sufficient for the Bishop to give his approval.  Anyway, this arrangement strikes me as the best option.  You don't join something you don't believe in and your fiancee get's her Church Wedding and valid marriage.

El Diablo