Faith of the Fiances and the Marriage Promise

Pope Francis distinguishes three groups of fiances, namely "believing, indifferent, and those who do not live by faith". The expressions of faith (i.e. in-depth, traditional, superficial, personal faith) are so multifaceted in the fiances, so that, even in the case of absolute unbelievers, tiny traces of faith can be observed. Many fiances have a genuine Catholic faith. Others show their faith in different ways. With this discussion we want to emphasize that the faith of the fiances is necessary in order to make a "mystery" (mysterion) of the marriage promise. Faith gives the fiances the power to live "the good of the spouses" (bonum coniugum) throughout their lives. For the valid celebration of the sacramental marriage, faith is not explicitly required, but it is enough for the fiances to have an honest purpose to do what the Church does - faciendi id quod facit Ecclesia Christi. Only when the fiances knowingly exclude the sacramental dignity of marriage, or are mistaken about the sacramental dignity of marriage can we speak of the defect of faith which can generate simulation of consent or error that determines the will (can. 1099). Pope Francis says that such circumstances of things and persons can allow a case for nullity of marriage to be handled by means of the more brief process before the bishop according to canons 1683-1687 (Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus, art. 14, 1). Therefore, pastoral workers are expected to help young couples who want to contract a marriage validly to discover their faith, strengthen it, and raise it "to receive the sacrament of marriage fruitfully" (can. 1065, 2).