5.18. Isn’t marriage still valid in the Novus Ordo since both parties consent?
Holy Matrimony is a sacrament instituted by Christ, elevating the natural bond of marriage to a means of grace. While the consent of the spouses is the essential matter of the sacrament, the Church has always required that this consent be expressed according to canonical form, before a validly ordained priest with jurisdiction and two witnesses. After Vatican II, the Novus Ordo radically altered both the theology of marriage and the disciplinary safeguards surrounding it.
Modern errors—such as acceptance of contraception, false ecumenism, emotionalism, loose annulments, and weddings celebrated by invalidly ordained priests or deacons—have distorted the nature of the sacrament. Furthermore, in many cases, couples exchange vows without intending the Catholic ends of marriage: permanence, fidelity, and openness to children. This renders the consent itself invalid. Below is a side-by-side comparison of Traditional Catholic Matrimony vs. the Novus Ordo version, showing why many modern marriages are doubtful or null in the eyes of the true Church.
| Category | Traditional Catholic Matrimony | Novus Ordo Matrimony | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minister | Spouses exchange vows before a **validly ordained priest with jurisdiction** and two witnesses | Often before invalidly ordained “priests,” deacons, or laypeople delegated by “bishops” | Marriage must be received by a valid priest with jurisdiction. Invalid clergy = invalid canonical form = invalid marriage. |
| Canonical Form | Vows exchanged **within the context of the Traditional Latin Mass** | Vows exchanged during “Eucharistic celebration” or outside of Mass | Separation of Matrimony from the sacrificial context of the Mass undermines its sanctity and spiritual effect. |
| Consent | Requires intention of **permanence, fidelity, and openness to children** | Consent often based on emotionalism, “personal fulfillment,” or vague commitment | If even one essential intention is missing (e.g., openness to life), the marriage is invalid *due to defective consent*. |
| Preparation | Strict pre-marriage catechesis and investigation of canonical impediments | Modern “marriage prep” often psychological, emotional, or superficial | Without firm doctrinal foundation, many parties enter marriage without understanding or accepting its sacramental nature. |
| Teaching on Marriage | Clear doctrine: marriage is indissoluble, ordered to procreation, and a means of grace | Modern theology emphasizes “companionship,” “growth,” or “shared love” | Downplaying sacramentality leads to invalid intent and eventual acceptance of divorce and contraception. |
| Liturgical Language | Sacred, solemn, and oriented toward God and sacramental grace | Often casual, vernacular, with personal vows and secular music | Humanistic tone undermines the gravity of the sacrament; introduces irreverence and ambiguity. |
| Annulments | Rare and difficult; requires real investigation and evidence of defective consent | Annulments granted easily for psychological reasons (“lack of maturity,” etc.) | Novus Ordo annulments are often de facto Catholic “divorces,” contrary to Our Lord’s teaching (Matt. 19:6). |
| Contraception | Gravely condemned by the Church as intrinsically evil (*Casti Connubii*) | Commonly tolerated or even recommended by Novus Ordo clergy | Widespread rejection of this teaching leads to invalid consent and loss of sanctifying grace. |
| Ecumenism | Marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics discouraged and strictly regulated | Mixed “interfaith weddings” encouraged or normalized | Undermines Catholic identity and introduces heresy into the family; defective intention possible. |
| Fruits | Strong families, high birth rates, perseverance in marriage | Massive divorce, contraception, apostasy, and moral confusion | The Novus Ordo bears the same bad fruits as the world: proof of its spiritual sterility and departure from the Faith. |
| Validity | Certain with proper intent, canonical form, and valid priest | Doubtful or invalid in many cases | Because of defective form, invalid clergy, and rejection of Church teaching, many modern “marriages” are null. |
Summary:
Marriage, while contracted by the consent of the spouses, must be entered into according to Catholic form, with valid intention, and received by a validly ordained priest with jurisdiction. The Novus Ordo has corrupted every aspect of the Sacrament of Matrimony: from form and minister to catechesis, moral doctrine, and annulment practices. As a result, many marriages contracted in the Vatican II Church are doubtful or null, either from invalid form, defective consent, or lack of jurisdiction.
For this reason, Catholics must approach Holy Matrimony within the traditional Catholic framework, with proper preparation, and before a validly ordained priest who possesses jurisdiction and teaches the unchanged doctrine of the Church.