Chapter 13. Personal Affairs

Requirements for marital documenation, and issues regarding marriages outside the Church

Original Arabic Text

Agreement has been reached in the relation to the following points:

  1. Copies of the certificate of absence of marital encumbrances are not accepted; only originals. Also, it is not considered an official document if sent by fax, because it is possible to forge the photographs.
  2. In cases of marriage of another not within the [same] diocese, the certificate of absence of marital encumbrances shall be provided from the Episcopate, provided a certified photograph is sent by post to the Episcopal Residence.
  3. The General Clerical Council and sub-committees, when checking any case, should check any personal status issues and contact those dioceses, so that these dioceses may be informed to exchange information and coordinate.
  4. It is not permissible for someone to receive communion if he has married from outside the Church, even if he was a former member [of that external group], unless the ecumenical position is corrected through a decree from the Clerical Council. What is meant by the phrase “outside the Church” is outside the Coptic Orthodox Church or sister Orthodox Church (united in the Faith and in the sacraments).
  5. His Holiness the Pope added, and it was decided, in cases of marriage from other churches, even from sister Churches, we can request the details specific to this marriage to check its lawfulness, and safeguarding, lest there be manipulation, as some of these churches or some dioceses, are lenient in the matters regarding marriage.
  6. The Holy Synod decided that certificate for the absence of marital encumbrances that are issued in the diaspora or outside the [Egyptian] borders are to be scrutinised by the Patriarchate first, then the certified copy is provided to the specific dioceses. His Holiness the Pope requested that staff of Personal Affairs in the Patriarchates and Episcopates pay attention to, look out for, what is issued by the Holy Synod regarding Personal Matters.
  7. The Holy Synod decided that the Sacrament of Matrimony can take place in the evening or the morning, depending on the circumstances of the betrothed, their wishes and choices, without the Church imposing any specific decision.