Which statement best expresses the requirements for marriage?

Which statement best expresses the requirements for marriage?

• A. Both partners must be baptized
• B. They must live in the same city
• C. Couple has to be free to marry and intending to do what is necessary for marriage
• D. They must be of equal age

Answer: (C)

The essential point is that a valid Catholic marriage hinges on the couple being free to marry and sincerely intending to undertake the obligations of marriage. “Free to marry” means there are no impediments or existing bindings that would prevent their union (such as already being married to someone else, close kinship, or other canonical impediments). “Intending to do what is necessary for marriage” means they freely commit to the lifelong, exclusive bond, faithfulness, and openness to children that define marriage in the Catholic understanding. Baptism status isn’t the determining factor for validity; a marriage can be valid even if one or both partners are not baptized, though the status affects whether the marriage is sacramental. Living in the same city and equal age aren’t requirements for a valid marriage.

The essential point is that a valid Catholic marriage hinges on the couple being free to marry and sincerely intending to undertake the obligations of marriage. “Free to marry” means there are no impediments or existing bindings that would prevent their union (such as already being married to someone else, close kinship, or other canonical impediments). “Intending to do what is necessary for marriage” means they freely commit to the lifelong, exclusive bond, faithfulness, and openness to children that define marriage in the Catholic understanding.

Baptism status isn’t the determining factor for validity; a marriage can be valid even if one or both partners are not baptized, though the status affects whether the marriage is sacramental. Living in the same city and equal age aren’t requirements for a valid marriage.