Banns of marriage

Banns of Marriage in Christian Denominations

• Banns of marriage are a public announcement in a Christian parish church or town council.
• Associated with Catholic Church, Church of Sweden, Church of England, and other similar Christian denominations.
• Purpose is to raise any legal impediments to prevent invalid marriages.
• Catholic Canon law on banns was decreed in Canon 51 of Lateran IV Council in 1215.
• Council of Trent in 1563 made provisions more precise, requiring public announcement in church.
• Neither Lutheran Church nor Church of England broke with Roman Catholic Church on requirement of banns.
• Break between Protestants and Roman Catholic Church was over what constitutes an impediment to marriage.
• In England, Clandestine Marriages Act 1753 required banns to be read aloud on three Sundays before wedding.
• Marriage licenses were introduced in 14th century to waive notice period under banns.
• Non-conformists were required to be married in Church of England until legislation in 1836.
• Sunday Service of Methodists contains rubric requiring publication of banns to reveal impediments to marriage.
• Banns are read over a period of three Sundays during divine service.
• African Methodist Episcopal Church and Free Methodist Church have rubric for reading banns.
• Banns help investigate impediments such as consanguinity and legal betrothal to another.
• Methodists are members of the World Methodist Council.

Publication and Announcement of Banns

• Banns were traditionally read from the pulpit and published in the parish weekly bulletin.
• Before 1983, canon law required banns to be announced in home parishes on three Sundays or Holy Days.
• Norms regarding publication of banns are established by individual national or regional Conference of bishops.
• Some places used specific wording when announcing banns during Mass.
• Marriage licenses were introduced to waive banns with payment of fee and declaration of no impediments.

Historical Practices and Changes

• Council of Trent made provisions for banns in 1563.
• Before 1754, eloping couples could be married clandestinely without banns.
• Scotland, particularly Gretna Green, became popular destination for eloping couples after 1754.
• Isle of Man briefly became popular for eloping couples, but passed a similar Act in 1757.
• Parish register of St Mary le Crypt in Gloucester recorded banns being published by the Bellman in 1656.

Country-by-country overviews

• England and Wales:
• The legislation relating to banns of marriage is contained in the Marriage Act 1949.
• The Church of England Marriage (Amendment) Measure 2012 amended the legislation.
• United States:
• Banns were a common requirement during the colonial era.
• Noncompliance with the banns procedure carried a serious fine in the 17th century.
• Banns were superseded by civil marriage license requirements in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Governmental regulation of marriage intensified in the mid-19th century.
• Canada:
• In Ontario, the publication of banns is a legal alternative to obtaining a marriage license.
• Same-sex couples married by banns in Toronto when marriage licenses were not issued to them.
• Banns are required for all marriages in Quebec, with specific formalities.
• Only Doukhobors can be married by banns in British Columbia.
• Civil-law countries in general:
• Many civil-law countries have different pre-marriage registration and publication requirements.
• Belgium:
• The publication requirement for banns was introduced in 1796 and removed in 2000.
• Finland:
• Until 1988, a forthcoming marriage was required to be announced in the bride's home parish church.
• The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland continues to practice the tradition.
• France:
• French civil law requires the publication of banns of marriage in the towns where intended spouses are living.
• Germany:
• German civil law required the publication of banns of marriage until 1998.
• Couples must still register for civil marriage beforehand.
• Netherlands:
• Couples intending to marry in the Netherlands must formally register their intention beforehand.

Other uses and References

• Banns can also be used as the prologue to a play, announcing and summarizing the upcoming play.
• The term 'banns' originates from Old French and Middle English.
• Banns of marriage were regulated by the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215.
• Changes to the procedure for publishing banns of marriage have been made over time.
• Various historical sources provide insights into the practice of banns.
• Different legal documents and statutes govern the requirements for banns in different countries.

Banns of marriage Data Sources