Cardinal Tagle: Fancy wedding, reception not church requirements for sacrament

A fancy wedding and reception will not be a requirement of the Catholic Church and should thus not be a reason to put off the sacrament.

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle made this assurance during a homily at a wedding in Malibay, Pasay City, Radyo Veritas reported.

"Hindi requirement ng Simbahan na para maging valid ang wedding kailangan mayroon kayong napakarangyang reception. Lahat yan pinag-iipunan ninyo kaya hindi kayo makapag-pakasal," he said.

The prelate said what is more important is the couple love each other for life.

He added having no expensive reception or photography service at the wedding is not as important as cherishing one's partner.

"(A)ng kahulugan ng kasal tuparin ang plano ng Diyos na magsama at magmahalan habang buhay at ipakita si Hesus sa bawat isa kung meron niyan kahit walang magandang damit, kahit walang marangyang handaan, kahit walang photographer, hindi mabubura ang mukha ng asawa ninyo sa puso ninyo," he said.

Tagle also said matrimony is not trivial matter.

“Napakalinaw sa simula’t simula pa na nilalang ng Diyos ang tao nasa isip na ng Diyos ang pagsasama ng Lalake at Babae. Walang puwersa na makatao ang gumawa at lumikha ng kasal. Nasa isip yan at kalooban ng Diyos na lumikha sa bawat Lalake at sa bawat Babae. Nasa isip ng Diyos noong nilalang niya tayo na ang Lalaki at Babae ay magsasama at ang kanilang pagsasama dahil galing sa kanya, hindi dapat pakialaman ng tao,” he said. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News