Ekumeniczny walor formuły kodeksowej "fructuosa liturgica marimonii celebratione" (KPK, kan. 1063, n. 3)

This study is an attempt to analyze, from the ecumenical perspective, number 3 of canon 1063, especially the expression: a fruitful liturgical celebration of marriage. The first point presents doctrinal reasons which are at the foundation of the principium expressed in article 1631 of The Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Sacramental marriage is a liturgical act”. The second point develops the thesis that the essence of the liturgy of marriage between the baptized is a Church proclamation of the truth of the sacramental sign: “the spouses signify and share in the mystery of the unity and fruitful love between Christ and the Church” (can. 1063, no. 3). The third point, according to the unquestionable rule of the immanence and the mutual interrelation between liturgy and theology, shows the practical side of ecumenical efforts which is present in commonly elaborated protestant-catholic liturgical rites of interchurch marriages. The interest is focused in four currently used rites: German (1995), German, so-called Formular C (1974), Austrian (1997) and Swiss (2001). Results of the analysis confirm the intuitions of professor Heribert Heinemann from the University of Bochum, who points out an ecumenical aspect of the Council definition of Christian marriage (family) describing it as Ecclesia domestica (Lumen gentium, no. 11). Heinemann’s opinion that the interchurch marriage is a Domestic Church should be fully supported. In this marriage, the Church is revealed in a particular sense. As, at the present time, the one Mystical Body of Christ, in its social dimension,is experiencing divisions (communio non plena), so in the same way its “particle” – the interchurch marriage, is a visible sign of a missing Church communion. At the same time, it is necessary to keep in mind that the marriage of Christians is a sign of unity (and fecund love) between Christ and the Church. This marriage, thanks to the grace of the Holy Spirit, has the meaningful task of participating in the redemptive mission of the Church. In this context, the interchurch marriage can certainly be termed a “laboratory of unity” (Benedict XVI).