Revised marriage form finally to see light of day

A streamlined form for Irish couples getting married will be rolled out from the First Sunday of Advent, following delays caused by uncertainty over whether or not the form needed Vatican Approval.

A decision was made some years ago to make the mandatory Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form more accessible, with diocesan representatives meeting in Maynooth in May 2014 to approve a new form. The current form has been in use for more than 20 years.

The Irish Catholic understands that attempts were made to streamline the form, completed by all engaged people seeking marriage within the Church, to make it easier to understand, with questions reworded to help applicants give better answers and to more clearly identify when special permissions are needed.

The form’s launch was originally scheduled for the First Sunday of Advent 2014, with the aim that it be in universal use by the following St Patrick’s Day, but despite thousands of forms having been printed by Veritas and training sessions for clergy scheduled, plans stalled when a decision was made to seek formal approval – termed recognition – for the form from the Holy See.

It is understood that approval was granted some months ago, and that training will take place for clergy in advance of the form’s introduction.