In the Roman Catholic tradition we recognize marriage as a Sacrament. That is, a practice identified by Jesus, which enriches the Church community. This Sacrament means more than a wedding rite; it chooses the lifelong relationship of husband and wife. Matrimony (wedding ceremony) is not so much what a couple receives as what a couple becomes. It follows that marriage has enduring significance for the entire membership of the Church. It is not exclusively or even primarily a private matter having to do with the couple's welfare. As a Sacrament, the couple assumes a community responsibility to show Jesus' love for his people by their love for one another.

As a result, when two people marry, it becomes an important moment for the Church community. The Church has a responsibility...