what about if its a civil marriage? that then happens to have been performed by someone that was ordained by the universal life church. or would it have to be a judge performing the civil marriage?
The marriage ceremonies performed by the Roman Catholic Church are legal inasmuch as they are registered in the Oficial?a del Estado Civil. If the Church obviates this step, for any reason, the marriage is legally null. The only advantage the Roman Catholic Church has over other churches is that the bride and bridegroom don't have to go before to the Oficial?a del Estado Civil in order to register their marriage, since the Catholic Church does it for them. I understand that The Universal Life Church is a nondenominational church, albeit a church for all purposes, like Wicca, Santer?a and many others, and as such perform ceremonies, including weddings. By the way, I had my son Aroa baptized or Christened under the rite of La Corriente del Maestro (Olivorio Mateo, Bendito Sea Su Nombre), a folk religion practiced in the DR Southwest.