Moises Figueroa

With 55% of the population, Chile continues to be an essentially Catholic country, according to the latest survey by the Center for Public Studies. But at the same time, the panorama is becoming increasingly diversified with the increase of evangelicals (16%) and practitioners of other faiths. Thus, it is not unusual that marriages of different religions are also on the rise in the country.

And although some couples prefer to make it easier for themselves by getting married only in a civil ceremony and then having a symbolic ceremony, there are others who do not renounce to do it in the presence of God. Review how this is possible according to four religions present in Chile.

In the Catholic religion

Canon Law recognizes two types of unions between Catholics and non-Catholics. On the one hand, mixed marriages These are those that are consummated between a baptized Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic. And, on the other, marriages with disparity of worship The marriage of a baptized Catholic and a non-baptized person.

In the case of mixed marriages, a special license from the ecclesiastical authority is required.

In the case of marriages due to religious disparity, a dispensation from the impediment must be requested in order for the marriage to be valid.

In any case, and in order to legitimize the marriage, both bride and groom are to be instructed by the parish priest regarding the essential ends (love, mutual help, procreation and education of children) and properties (unity and indissolubility) of marriage, which must be accepted by the Catholic and the non-Catholic.

The non-Catholic contracting party will also be informed of the promises and obligations that the Catholic will take on so that he/she is aware of them.

For his part, the Catholic bride and groom must declare that he is willing to avoid any danger of departing from the faith, and promise that he will do everything possible to see that the children are baptized and educated in the Catholic religion. All of this will be recorded in writing in the marriage file. In addition, both bride and groom must attend the premarital talks.

The Catholic marriage can only be celebrated inside a church (chapel, parish, temple), and can be officiated by a priest, if it will be a Mass, or by a deacon, if it will be a Liturgy.

Cristóbal Merino

In the evangelical religion

Whether they are baptized or unbaptized evangelicals in your church If they do, they may marry a person who professes another religion.

The requirement is that the person must become aware of the pillars of evangelical marriage and accept them. To do so, they will be asked to attend pastoral counseling talks, as all couples are, but they will not need to make any application. In that sense, there are no special requirements.

Evangelical unions can take place in churches, private homes or event centers, which are preceded by a pastor or minister.

In the Jewish religion

In the case of a Jewish marriage to someone of another religion, the woman may do so, while the man may not.

The reason is that men can only marry Jewish women, since only from a Jewish womb can Jews be born, according to this religion. It is from the mother that the Jewish soul and identity are inherited, while the practice of Judaism is transmitted by the father.

A Jewish wedding (Kudishin), officiated by a rabbi, can be held outdoors or inside a synagogue, but always under a wedding canopy called a chuppah.

In the Muslim religion

For its part, the Muslim world accepts that a man can marry a non-Muslim woman, but a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man. The reason for this is that the transmission of faith and religion to children is through the paternal line, according to the Koran.

Muslim weddings take place in a mosque, officiated by an imam, as the spiritual guide is called.

Cristóbal Merino

Can a double marriage take place?

The definitive answer is no. However, if, for example, it is a marriage between a Catholic and an Evangelical in the Catholic Church, you can ask your parish priest if it is possible for a pastor to be present during the ceremony as well.

But in that case, the evangelical pastor could only intervene with an exhortation and a blessing, as long as the church where they are getting married authorizes them to do so.

That is to say, it would be something symbolic It is not possible - in any religion - for two ministers to ask for and receive the consent of the bride and groom simultaneously or successively, because in that case there would be confusion as to which church is acting and, therefore, legal certainty would be broken.

When love and commitment are strong, they will not mind being married with different religions in between, or rather, married under one religion, which they do not both profess. However, there is always the option of one of the two opting for conversion or simply marrying under the laws of the Civil Registry.