Kerala Church Declares Marriage Between Catholic Bride And Muslim Man Invalid Over 'Serious Lapses'

A church three-member inquiry committee has declared an interfaith marriage solemnised by the Syro Malabar Church between a Catholic woman and a Muslim man, invalid, Times of India has reported.

The committee has ruled that there were serious lapses by two senior priests, who have now been censured. The committee also concluded that the marriage did not follow canon law.

The marriage between the couple had taken place on 9 November.

"The commission collected details from the priests and bishops of Irinjalakkuda and Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese and submitted a report to the major archbishop. It stated that the marriage did not follow Canon law and was hence invalid", a senior Syro Malabar Church priest has been quoted as saying.

The probe in this matter was ordered after objections were raised over the clergy encouraging interfaith marriages.