Marriage preparation intends to promote the “free celebration of a true marriage” that creates “a bond of justice and love between the spouses.”
Pope Benedict explained that the pastor’s pre-marriage examination of a couple is intended to determine whether there is any obstacle to a valid and legal celebration of the marriage. This presents a “unique pastoral opportunity” as the pastor seeks to lead the possible spouses to a “serious examination about themselves” and about their vocation to marriage.
He urged a “climate of complete sincerity” in these examinations that emphasizes that the betrothed are the ones most obliged to celebrate a valid marriage and should be the ones most interested in forming a valid union.
“With the various means available for careful preparation and verification, it is possible to develop effective pastoral activities aimed at avoiding the nullification of marriages,” the pontiff said. “Every effort must be made, insofar as possible, to break the vicious circle which often arises between automatic admission to marriage without adequate preparation or a serious examination of the requirements laid down for its celebration.”
He also criticized an opposing tendency which considers a marriage null only because it appears to have failed.
The Pope called on Church tribunals to be unequivocal about the essential aspects of marriage. Many incorrect opinions about the capacity of spouses to consent to a marriage remain, he noted.