Canonical Marriage Preparation in the Igbo Tradition in the Light of Canon 1063 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law

The Igboman who embraces Christianity wants to remain a Christian without rejecting his Igbo identity and culture. In view of this, there is an urgent need to foster and promote marriage preparation in Igboland as a way of rediscovering the Christian and traditional values of marriage as an institution. This aims at providing the ambience and opportunity for prospective couples to establish successful marriages and their stability in Igboland. In this regard, as an implementation to its renewed meaning and understanding of marriage, the Church recognizes the necessity for effective and adequate marriage preparation and pastoral care of marriage. The study attempts to give the influence of theological and canonical enrichments in the meaning and understanding of the matrimonial sacrament upon the legal provisions, guidelines and programs for marriage preparation in the Igbo dioceses of Nigeria.

Autorentext

Paulinus Chibuike Nwaigwe, native of Ahiazu Mbaise in Imo State (Nigeria), is a priest of the Sons of Mary Mother of Mercy Congregation in Nigeria. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St Joseph Major Seminary Ikot Ekpene. At the University of Würzburg (Germany), he earned his doctorate in Catholic Theology, specializing in Canon Law.

Inhalt

Contents: Marriage Preparation in the Code of 1917 - The General Norms Concerning Marriage Preparation in the 1917 Code - Marriage Preparation in Some Papal and Ecclesial Documents - The Understanding of Marriage in the Code of 1983 - General Norms Regarding Marriage Preparation in the 1983 Code - Marriage Preparation in Canon 1063 of 1983 Code - Difficult Cases in Marriage Preparation - Marriage Preparation in Igbo Tradition - AECAWA Overview on Marriage Preparation in West Africa - Proposed Marriage Preparation Guidelines and Programs for the Igbo Dioceses and the Need for Inculturation.