Quote:
Originally Posted by AznSAE
has anyone ever been to a wedding where the pastor says "if anyone here objects, please speak now" and someone actually did this?
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Thankfully, no.
FWIW, the question traditionally is along the lines of "if any man can show any just cause why they may not
lawfully be joined together, let him now speak or else hereafter for ever hold his peace." The bold is my emphasis; the point of the question was not to see if anyone thought the marriage was a bad idea, but it was a last chance for anyone to claim that there was a legal impediment to the marriage.
The custom relates to the publishing of banns, which is still (I believe) required in the Church of England but no longer required in the Roman Catholic Church. (One will also sometimes hear banns published in Episcopal churches, though it is not required.) In order for a marriage to be legal, notice had to be given on successive Sundays prior to the wedding; the notice according to the use of the Church of England is along these lines: "I publish the banns of marriage between NN of _____ and NN of _____. This is the first/second/third time of asking. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy Matrimony, ye are to declare it." (Or "This is the first/second/third time of asking. If any of you know any reason in law why they may not marry each other you are to declare it.")
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